The Mining Of Marcellus Shale Industry - 1827 Words

The Marcellus Shale Industry in Pennsylvania Despite it’s long history of coal, oil, and gas development, Pennsylvania has seemingly been overcome by the rapidity and scale of production demonstrated with the recent boom of Marcellus Shale industry, which has companies, workers, environmentalists, etc. flocking to its northern tier. However, controversy seems to have followed as â€Å"the economic criticism of the drilling industry is that it booms and then busts, generating few local jobs and leaving little lasting economic benefit† (Schwartz). Thus making it critically important not only the economic impact, but also those of social, institutional and environmental now and in the years to come† (â€Å"Marcellus Shale†). Marcellus Shale is geologically defined as a sedimentary rock that is located at least a mile below the surface and developed approximately 380 million years ago, during Devonian times, in a region referred to as the Appalachian Basin, which explains its prominence in the northeastern region of the United States (â€Å"What†). But, more importantly, Marcellus is a specific example of natural gas that contains a substantial concentration of methane, â€Å"trapped in low-permeability shale, which requires the hydraulic fracturing or fracking† (â€Å"Marcellus Formation†). The natural gas occurs within the Marcellus Shale in several ways, including: â€Å"the pore spaces of the shale, the vertical fractures that break through the shale, and adsorbed on mineral grains and organicShow MoreRelatedThe Importance of a Secure Energy Supply for the Future826 Words   |  3 Pagesthe most concerned social and economical issues to our society. Both industrial and domestic lives rely on the energy provided by energy sources from one form or anther. Petroleum, coal and natural gas are the most produced and used energy sources. Mining technologies are required to obtain the raw materials of these energy sources from nature. The energy crisis is due to the limited amount of the natural storages of the energy resources. A higher production rate of the raw materials is desired soRead MoreEssay Hydraulic Fracturing Must be Reformed1457 Words   |  6 PagesThe multi-billion dollar gas industry is seeking to expand its production across the nation, in light of new technology making extracting natural gas much easier. A Healthy alternative to the fossil fuels we so frivolously use is now more critical than ever. In 2011, the United States used 18.83 million barrels of raw oil daily, and in 2010 19.18 million barrels of petroleum products and biofuels. In 2010 and 2011, that was nearly 22% of the world’s oil supply. (U.S Department of Energy) PreviouslyRead MoreFracking s Youth And Considering Its Only Significant Sites1004 Words   |  5 Pageslargely confined on the Marcellus region which runs across two-thirds of Pennsylvania and extends into other states (MSTEC 2011) or the Barnet region in Texas. Pennsylvania The Pennsylvania economy has been dominated by coal and steel in the past with more recent growth in services making up for the reductions in manufacturing (City Data 2010). Shale Effects From 2007-2012 Cruz, Smith and Stanley (2014) found there was an increase of 259.3% in employment in the oil and gas industry with this located moreRead MoreThe Issue Of Hydraulic Fracturing1444 Words   |  6 PagesHydraulic Fracturing One of the hottest new issues that has arisen to the forefront of the battle between environmentalists and the energy industry, where the health of future generations is set against our energy needs and economic growth, is the issue of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking as it is colloquially called. America’s new-found energy independence has been made possible using technology that was only a pipe dream a mere decade ago, slashing the disparity between net imports versus exportsRead MoreTaking a Look at Hydrauling Fracturing829 Words   |  3 Pagesthat were once unreachable with other mining and extraction methods. The advancements in drilling technology have lead us to be able to obtain natural gasses from places we never could have before. When using the fracking method to drill into the earth’s surface, once the miners have reached the shell rock they then drill another whole horizontally into the shell rock. â€Å"Horizontal drilling allows for the injection of highly pressurized fracking fluids into the shale area. This creates new channels withinRead MoreHydraulic Fracturing2549 Words   |  11 Pages2013 Cause and Effects of Hydraulic Fracturing Hydraulic Fracturing is the process where millions of gallons of water that contain thousands of chemicals is pushed thousands of feet below the surface of the earth releasing gas, oil and sand from shale rocks (Hydraulic Fracturing Definition.) This chemical-filled water passes through water ways that are vital to life causing millions of animals, plants and humans to be harmed. Fracking is a global issue for citizens but a global success for big companiesRead MoreNatural Gas Is A Rapidly Growing Section Of The Economy2004 Words   |  9 PagesIndia, and Persia. The Chinese were ahead of their time and were able to make crude pipelines to transport the gas to heat salt water. However, the first country to use natural gas commercially was Britain around 1785, when it was captured while mining coal. This natural gas was used to light street lamps and lamps used in homes. After Britain started using natural gas commercially, the practice grew worldwide. The first well that was sp ecifically intended to extract natural gas in the UnitedRead MoreSantos Case Study1755 Words   |  8 Pagesdecide to do a specific investment through considering ethical targets and financial standards of an entity (Schwartz 2003, p. 195). According to the official website of Santos (2012), Santos was established in 1954 and it is a leader in the mining industry in Australia. The main products of Santos are gas and oil. These products are not only offered to Australian domestic market, but also provided to international marketplace, particularly in Asia market. Also, Santos is the Australia s largestRead MoreFracking, An Unregulated Chemical Cocktail Essay1681 Words   |  7 PagesINTRODUCTION What is Fracking? Fracking is a mining approach in which a well in drilled thousands of feet deep into the Earth for the express purpose of gathering oil and gas from fuel reserves deep within its crust. Essentially, drill teams pierce through the planets sediment layers, water table and shale rock formations before placing a casing of cement as a sort of access valve to the raw fuel. This casing also acts as a channel for colossal amounts of water, sand and 50,000 gallons of frackingRead MoreHydraulic Fracking Essay15746 Words   |  63 Pagesin the shale below. This is done first by drilling vertically into the earth’s crust several thousand feet below the water line. The drill then heads horizontally continuing on until the drill hits the projected target several thousand feet below the earth’s surface. After the fracking target is reached, pipe is inserted into the drilled out hole. After the pipe reaches the drilled target, high pressure frac water mixed with â€Å"frac sandâ⠂¬  and other additive components are pumped into the shale. This