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Permalink Reply by Brian Helfrich on December 22, 2017 at 4:12am

There has been a lot less drilling activity.

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Permalink Reply by Barry D on December 22, 2017 at 10:29am

Brian,

In fact your statement is incorrect.

For example - Rig counts have remained fairly steady in Pennsylvania since this time last year, hovering around 30, according to Baker Hughes. And while this may seem low when compared to past years where the Commonwealth had 50-plus rigs operating, it hasn’t decreased the number of new wells being developed or lessened production by any stretch.

According to data reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Pennsylvania saw 802 new unconventional wells developed, and as of October, the state’s Marcellus wells produced 4.4 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas and 4.2 million barrels (MMbbl) of natural gas condensate, or natural gas liquids (NGLs).

That’s an increase of more than 175 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas (4 percent increase) and 285 thousand barrels (Mbbl) of NGLs (7 percent increase), compared to October 2016 totals. There were also nearly 300 more new wells drilled in 2017 than 2016.

In its 2016 annual oil and gas report, DEP explained,

“Although the number of new unconventional natural gas wells drilled in Pennsylvania dropped to its lowest level since 2008, natural gas production climbed to its highest level on record in 2016.”

Based on these numbers, Pennsylvania’s Marcellus industry will almost certainly beat 2016’s total natural gas (5.1 Tcf) and NGLs (4.7 MMbbl) production in 2017 – once again setting record production levels. We’ll find out for sure when November and December’s production data is released in 2018.

As I said, your statement is incorrect, more production, less emissions.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Helfrich on December 22, 2017 at 1:22pm

Since the vast majority of methane emissions only occur during the initial drilling / flaring operations of a well, the fact that more wells that were completed in the past and have finally been hooked up to distribution pipelines and "turned on" so to speak doesn't affect my statement.   

Of course there is more production now without an increase in methane emissions.  If a previously completed well leaks gas now, it is an industrial accident..  

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Permalink Reply by Barry D on December 23, 2017 at 2:36am

Brian,

You keep spewing misinformation, read the DEP report (and the one produced by EIA). You'll see that the primary sources of emissions is from production activities.

Next, notice in the info I posted, that it states that fewer rigs are drilling MORE wells. Not less as you stated.

According to you, more wells drilled would mean more emissions. However, you are incorrect.

The amount of emissions has decline, all while more wells are drilled and put into production.

BTW - do you know the main sources of methane emissions? (Jeopardy music).

What would be AGRICULTURE Alec?

Are you related to Paul? You appear to be allergic to facts in the same way he is.

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Permalink Reply by Barry D on December 23, 2017 at 2:40am

carp,

Brian suffers from the fractivist delusion, where they feel they can spew misinformation and no one will call them on it.

As you point out, there are more wells being drilled in Greene County, NOT LESS. Greene is also one one the counties cited for a DECLINE in emissions.

Sorry for the caps, those are meant for the fractivists.

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