Good sources to learn more about shale gas drilling?

I’m interested in finding out what unbiased, responsible sources are available regarding shale gas drilling. The websites I’ve found most helpful in trying to understand the risks and opportunities involved are these:

      http://www.fractracker.org/  

      http://www.gasdrillingtechnotes.org/ 

      http://www.texassharon.com/links/barnett-shale-blogs/

I realize that community groups opposing fracking might be considered biased, but from what I can tell, most communities in shale gas territory started out supportive. In places where that has changed, as in Sharon, TX, it might be useful to understand why.  But I’d be interested to hear recommendations. 

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Permalink Reply by mbc on February 20, 2012 at 7:11pm

I am thinking, and that might not always be a good thing, but I am thinking that another part of this discussion that is problematic is understanding the difference between Hydraulic Fracturing and a Fracing Fluid spill.

I am by no means an expert or involved in the O/G business whatsoever.  What I am discerning, however, is that the studies are telling us that if the frac fluids make it down the hole without incident, if you will, that is when the actual fracturing begins. 

It seems to me that Carol's real worry is not fracing, but rather the fluids of the day being used to frac.  Fracing, in and of itself, by all accounts, is not the issue.  Maybe Carol's stance would have more credence, if it was put forth as a  spill worry, rather than a fracing worry. 

Maybe I'm not accurately depicting what Carol is really worried about.  Maybe Carol has become worried about the whole idea of drilling into the earth and for her fracing is a good place to express one aspect of her concern.  I don't know Carol, so I don't know.

I do know that if I were to take a stance against drilling, using reason, I really couldn't say fracing is my smoking gun, simply based on what has been established by the evidence.

Carol, I haven't read everything you've probably posted, so forgive me if I am misrepresenting what you have put forth and the question I will ask of you.  Which is... If the chemicals being used for frac fluids were to change to all non-toxic substances would you still be researching this topic, or would your concerns be laid to rest?

Permalink Reply by Carol Kuniholm on February 22, 2012 at 2:28am

I agree that at this point my concern is more about the fluids used than about the actual fact of drilling. If chemicals used were non-toxic, that would be a start, but I'd still wonder about the materials that come back out with the frac fluid, and what's being done to make sure those materials are handled safely so they don't do damage to air or drinking water. 

Permalink Reply by mbc on February 22, 2012 at 6:01am

Carol,

Thanks for responding. 

I realize that in a forum like this it may be hard to fully, thoroughly, and fairly, convey our thoughts and concerns.  It would seem, however, that you're wanting it both ways, leaving drilling stuck in the middle.  I understand the concern.  I am all for regulation and the proper handling of any product, by-product, from any industry, including Play-Doh!  (Well, maybe not Play-Doh.)

It seems pretty clear, to me, that there are indeed standards and regulations for the industry in regards to what is going in and coming out of the well.  Not that those standards may not need tweeked, if you will, here and there, but they are there.  Clearly, it is not the free-for-all some would have us believe.

Personally, I believe the issue of concern is misplaced.  It appears, to me, that the main source of potential problems is with the abandonment of wells.  As I understand it, if an abandoned well is properly handled, plugged, the industry would not be encountering the scattered problems with methane and possible aquifer contamination that it is.

Frankly, I would be all for O/G companies having to identify and address abandoned wells in an area of new drilling before any new permits were issued.

If anyone is following this discussion that is in, or more closely associated with, the industry and this issue, I'd be interested in what you know about this.  And, maybe this topic should be moved to another dialogue widow.  I'll start one and see if there is any response.

In the mean time, now that I'm thinkin' about it, I think I'll call the governor and my congressman to see how, if, this issue is being addressed.

As Frazier would say, thanks for listening!

 

Permalink Reply by Sherry on February 19, 2012 at 6:31am

This is probably my favorite balanced piece - it's long, but written in an entirely readable way - Frac Attack: Risks, Hype, and Financial Reality of Hydraulic Fracturing in the Shale Plays by Tudor-Pickering and written by an award winning investigative and financial journalist for the Wall Street Journal. http://www.scribd.com/doc/34109245/TPH-Report-on-Fracing

B. F. Environmental has a list of PDF files - mostly Marcellus related: http://www.bfenvironmental.com/education-wkshp.php - at the bottom of the page are many links, but one of the better ones is http://www.bfenvironmental.com/pdfs/HydraulicFracturingReport1.2008....

The Shale Gas Shock, a report released by the Global Warming Policy Foundation: http://www.thegwpf.org/images/stories/gwpf-reports/Shale-Gas_4_May_...

To Drill or Not to Drill (and the Fable of the Emperor's New Clothes, a Powerpoint presentation given in 2010 and mostly pertaining to New York State's area of the Marcellus, but still has some pretty good information. http://www.westfirmlaw.com/pdf/TSWMarch10Presentation.pdf

The following lean more towards the other spectrum, at least in the eyes of drilling opponents.

Here is an Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission report http://www.iogcc.state.ok.us/Websites/iogcc/Images/Package%20by%20E... in which numerous gas drilling states provide statistics for the number of wells drilled and their instances of contamination.

And then there are the Energy-in-Depth websites.  I know drilling opponents like to attack it for being the PR leg of the oil and gas industry, but the truth is, the content on their pages has to pass the muster for truth much more than many of the anti-drill websites.  The same goes for individual oil and gas websites.  Yes, these are the other side of the coin, and true, they often don't address the concerns of spills, etc., but they do have some good information.

By the way, VG, that was an awesome site you linked to!  I like it, as it does show a good balance and has some great information.

Permalink Reply by Carol Kuniholm on February 20, 2012 at 11:11am

Sherry - I haven't had time to look at all your suggestions, but the one you recommended from Tudor-Pickering is probably the most helpful piece I've seen yet:  http://www.scribd.com/doc/34109245/TPH-Report-on-Fracing  It does a great job of balancing off hype/spin/real research/logical connections. The unfortunate thing about it is that it's almost two years old - so it's missing a ton of more recent research, and all the more recent political drama. If you know of anything like it that's more recent, I'd love to see it. 

Permalink Reply by Matthew Wengerd on February 26, 2012 at 5:14am
Permalink Reply by PA roughneck on February 26, 2012 at 5:38am

 Thanks for all those links Matthew.
  In just a few short hours of watching and reading I should know more about the industry than folks that have made a career of it!
  And to think I spent 32 hours in an accredited well control school, just to be able to legally operate a drilling rig! 
  Maybe Josh Faux and his acolytes should do a film on the medical industry-that way we'll be able to educate the masses on the intricacies of cardiac surgery, brain surgery and pharmaceutical research in just and hour and a half!  Just think of all the money society will have saved by not spending $200k per student educating them in the practice of medicine! 
   With so many new found 'EXPERTS', the cost of health care should drop like a rock!

Permalink Reply by gary smith on February 26, 2012 at 1:21pm

along with most patients.   hahaahah

Permalink Reply by Billy Park Whyde on February 26, 2012 at 7:22am

Anymore propaganda? Matthew

Permalink Reply by Matthew Wengerd on February 26, 2012 at 1:11pm

you mean real news? Not the news that the corporations pay for? The truth? yes, I have plenty more

Permalink Reply by PA roughneck on February 26, 2012 at 2:53pm

Matthew, I'm not sure that you're aware that 'the corporations' didn't write the laws of physics, fluid density or formation porosity. These are SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES that the industry has used for the benefit of both you and I.
  In Ohio there are 13 Class I injection wells.Of which 10 are still in operation. As of the year end 2008, these wells had safely disposed of nearly 10 BILLION gallons of industrial waste water.
Many of these wastes have a ph of <2 (highly acidic) and contain the following-
Hydrochloric acid
Acrylonitrile
Acetonitrile
Hydrogen Cyanide
sulfates
ammonia compounds
incinerator scrubber water
Lead
Chromium
These wells are regulated by the state of Ohio/EPA and as a part of their receiving a permit, the well owners must demonstrate that the injected fluids will not come in contact with underground sources of drinking water within the next 10,000 years.
These wells are injecting these hazardous wastes at depths ranging from 2800' to 3100', roughly HALF the depths that Marcellus and Utica wells are drilled to.
Seeing as how industrial wastes MUCH more toxic and corrosive than frac fluids,flowback or produced water, are safely disposed of via deep earth sequestration, in over 120 facilities nationwide without contamination of underground drinking water, I'd say it's a safe bet that frac'ing a well at DOUBLE the depths found in these waste disposal wells in Ohio, would not lead to a migration of the injected fluids into the drinking water aquifer.
  Research it for yourself, I started at the Ohio EPA site here-
http://epa.ohio.gov/ddagw/uic_class1.aspx

Learn or not, your choice.

Permalink Reply by Tom Copley on February 26, 2012 at 11:00am

The story about the unfortunate lady in the third video from Coitsville, OH, who had her gall bladder removed and can never have children now, is really pretty sad. Not to make light of any serious problems that people like her are attributing to gas drilling in their area, nor the need to address these issues, I couldn't help but notice the lengths some Russian ladies have been willing to go to protest the Russian gas giant, Gazprom's activities over there. Makes one want to reach for the GasX ;-)

Read more more about what Gazprom's up to when it comes to shale ga...

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