It also presents a summary of regulations applicable to the natural gas production industry, and details the environmental considerations related to shale gas development. This years forum was centered on the ongoing shale gas boom and how it is shaping energy security and environmental issues across the world. Drilling and fracturing also produce large amounts of wastewater, which may. Shale gas and the environment carnegie mellon university. Environmental science and pollution research 2017, 24 17, 1457914594.
Hydraulic fracturing hydraulic fracturing hf is commonly used in the oil and gas industry to enhance subsurface fracture systems to allow oil or natural gas to move more freely from the rock pores to production wells. The potential future economic and energy security benefits of a large resource of natural gas in south africa could be substantial. First, i would like to briefly discuss the geology and geochemistry of shales as. Environmental impact of the oil shale industry includes the consideration of issues such as land use, waste management, and water and air pollution caused by the extraction and processing of oil shale. The government regulations set for the shale oil and gas industry are still premature due to the. Shale gas geology shale gas is natural gas produced from shale formations and these shales function as both reservoir and source rock for the natural gas. With rapidly increasing demand for energy, the trend world over is to supplement conventional oil and gas production with other alternative unconventional energy fuel sources. The purpose of this policymaker guide is to take a systems approach to energy issuescollecting. Legal and environmental issues find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate.
Hydraulic fracturing and shale gas the earth times. So called wet gas deposits contain higher proportions of these heavier compounds, which are separated and marketed as natural gas liquids ngls, in general at a substantially higher price than the dry gas. In addition, the combustion and thermal processing generate waste material, which must be disposed. How shale gas is shaping energy security and environmental issues across the world october 16th, 20 marked the fifth anniversary of a joint annual forum presented by hitachi, ltd. Through comprehensive investigation of the environmental issues in shale gas development in the us, the environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing in shale gas development are summarized to provide reference for the shale gas development and man agement. Environmental impacts of shale gas extraction in canada. In pennsylvania, oil and gas wastewater is sometimes treated at brine treatment facilities and discharged to local streams. Below is a brief summary of some of the environmental issues surrounding shale gas development. The average lifetime of a shale oil or gas well varies highly. Unconventional oil and natural gas play a key role in our nations clean energy future. Drilling for natural gas in the marcellus and utica shales. The problem is that gas is leaky and shale gas may be doubly so. Impact of shale gas development on water resources.
Shale gas and its implications for africa and the african. Hydraulic fracturing shale gas is a natural gas produced. Environmental impacts of natural gas union of concerned. How shale gas is shaping energy security and environmental. Many gas companies have put forward shale gas a clean bridge fuel, to help ease the move to a wind and sunpowered future. Shale gas production is a part of the oil and gas industry and therefore falls under the same regulatory framework as the rest of the industry. What experts say about the environmental risks of shale gas. The recent innovation of horizontal drilling coupled with hydraulic fracturing has significantly improved the ability of drillers to access gas in shale rock formations. Impacts of shale gas wastewater disposal on water quality. It also presents a summary of regulations applicable to the natural gas production industry, and details the environmental considerations related to. Shale gas has solved the gas availability issue in the us shale gas is a low carbon, relatively low polluting alternative to coal for electric power generation shale gas can play a key role in energy security for the us the barnett shalegas play of the fort worth basin. An analysis of the environmental impacts of the extraction. What experts say about the environmental risks of shale. Environmental issues, climate changes, and energy security in developing asia benjamin k.
Development, technology, and policy issues congressional research service 2 gas shale development takes place on both private and state lands. Guidelines for environmental management during shale gas oil exploration and production 1. A series of federal laws governs most environmental aspects of shale gas development. The production of oil from shales has a potentially serious impact on the environment. It is recognized that some states have been regulating natural gas development. However, in treating the shale as a bridge to a low carbon future there are risks to the development of technologies, like capture and storage, needed to complete the task.
These technologies enable greater access to oil and natural gas in shale formations. Environmental and health issues in unconventional oil and. Summary of environmental issues, mitigation strategies, and regulatory challenges associated with shale gas development in the united states and applicability to development and operations in. Gas shale environmental issues and challenges fundamentals. Environmental, exploration and production applications of. Apr 10, 2015 the environmental concerns about the effects of shale gas development can be grouped into five general categories. Recognizing the economic and environmental potentials of shale oil and gas, american water supports safe and responsible development of shale gas production pursuant to state and federal regulations that ensure protection of the environment, especially water sources. As an example, the ultimate estimated recovery eur for a natural gas well can range from a dry hole i.
Shale gas exploration and production key issues and responsible business practices guidance note for financiers this guidance note has been produced to assist financial institutions in their internal conversations and decisionmaking with regard to risks and responsible business practices associated with shale gas production. Environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing in shale gas. Shale oil and gas research institute, peking university, beijing 100871, china abstract. Actual estimates vary, and some believe that that the shale gas boom may become a bust, iii but a 2012 study funded by industry and conducted by ihs global insight illustrates. Guidelines for environmental management during shale. The pennsylvania department of environmental protection recently released data on air emissions from the shale gas industry in 20 publicsource looked into the data and built a. Environmental impact of the oil shale industry wikipedia. Environmental issues, climate changes, and energy security. The oil and gas industry is the largest industrial source of voc emissions in the u. Environmental and health issues in unconventional oil and gas development offers a series of authoritative perspectives from varied viewpoints on key issues relevant in the use of directional drilling and hydraulic fracturing, providing a timely presentation of requisite information on the implications of these technologies for those connected to unconventional oil and shale gas.
This third forum was held to discuss the concerns associated with extracting gas from shale deposits. Ultimately, the purpose of hydraulic fracturing is to increase the permeability of the source rock to get oil and gas to. October 16th, 20 marked the fifth anniversary of a joint annual forum presented by hitachi, ltd. Geological survey usgs, and the potential gas committeethree organizations that estimate the size of these resourceshave increased over the last 5 years, which could mean an increase in the nations energy portfolio. Environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing wikipedia. Explore the economic, business, and environmental impacts of the marcellus shale and natural gas industry. Request pdf on feb 1, 2014, barbara uliaszmisiak and others published shale and tight gas in poland. It is not an attorneyclient communication, is not intended to provide legal advice or assistance or to solicit or. However, shale gas is controversial, with many people being opposed to it because of various sustainability issues associated with its exploitationand utilization.
The safe disposal of liquid wastes associated with oil and gas production in the united states is a major challenge given their large volumes and typically high levels of contaminants. It should be stressed that a key issue in assessing these issues has been a paucity of reliable data. The environmental concerns about the effects of shale gas development can be grouped into five general categories. In this lesson, we will look at the unique way natural gas is extracted from shale rock and the environmental concerns associated with it. Shale gas exploration and production key issues and. Impacts of shale gas wastewater disposal on water quality in. How shale gas is shaping energy security and environmental issues across the world wednesday, october 16, 20 the 5th ecoengineering forum o ctober 16th, 20 marked the fifth anniversary of a joint annual forum presented by hitachi, ltd. Research has determined that human health is affected.
Environmental issues, climate changes, and energy security in developing asia. That matters because shale gas is mainly methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Marcellus shale and natural gas penn state extension. Estimates of the size of shale oil and gas resources in the united states by the energy information administration eia, u. Environmental regulatory basics january 2014 introduction this fact sheet provides a basic overview of natural gas drilling in the marcellus and utica shale regions of ohio and the potential environmental issues associated with these activities. Since hydraulic fracturing typically involves the use of large quantities of water and chemicals, associated risks for contamination of ground and surface waters. Environmental impacts of shale gas exploration and exploitation hydrofracturing process for shale gas exploitation has the potential to have an impact on the environment fig. Unconventional oil and natural gas development us epa. These techniques can have an impact on the environment if not properly handled. Surface mining of oil shale deposits causes the usual environmental impacts of openpit mining.
Along with the increased scale of shale oil and gas development, came concerns over potential human health and environmental impacts, such issues as water quality and availability, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and the prospects for inducing seismic events. Evaluating the environmental implications of hydraulic. This is causing a growing con cern in many governments and in the involved communities because very few extensive studies and information are available. Water and air pollution are the biggest risks to human health from hydraulic fracturing. The environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing is related to land use and water consumption, air emissions, including methane emissions, brine and fracturing fluid leakage, water contamination, noise pollution, and health. An analysis of the environmental impacts of the extraction of. Energy committee looks at shale gas environmental issues and best practices on thursday, may 23, the senate energy and natural resources committee held its third of three scheduled forums on the future of natural gas usage in the united states. Public discourse suggests a lack of consensus in the united states regarding the environmental impacts of shale gas development. Summary of environmental issues, mitigation strategies, and regulatory challenges associated with shale gas development in the united states and. Apr 16, 2015 several issues need to be addressed to ensure that shale gas can be produced in a manner that meets environmental and public health protection goals howarth and ingraffea 2011. To date shale gas has only been exploited in the us and, while initial estimates have been made, it is difficult to quantify the possible resources in other parts of the globe.
Newly available shale gas has reduced the cost of electricity and heating and replaced coal, but public fears about the environment threaten to curtail those gains. Jul 16, 2011 many gas companies have put forward shale gas a clean bridge fuel, to help ease the move to a wind and sunpowered future. In texas, where similar gas shale development takes place, the rates are generally higher. Shale gas has solved the gas availability issue in the us shale gas is a low carbon, relatively low polluting alternative to coal for electric power generation shale gas can play a key role in energy security for the us the barnett shale gas play of the fort worth basin. Four specific areas of concern dominate discussion regarding development of the resource. Legal and environmental issues find, read and cite all. May 04, 2015 the pennsylvania department of environmental protection recently released data on air emissions from the shale gas industry in 20 publicsource looked into the data and built a series of. Shale gas 7 executive summary 9 the shale gas revolution 9 shale gas in the united states 10 the production of shale gas 10 environmental issues associated with shale gas production 11 0. Sep 05, 2012 estimates of the size of shale oil and gas resources in the united states by the energy information administration eia, u. This study examined the water quality and isotopic. Environmental issues, climate changes, and energy security in. For example, the clean water act regulates surface discharges of water associated with shale gas drilling and production, as well as storm water runoff from production sites. Energy committee looks at shale gas environmental issues.
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