Health Impact Assessment of Shale Gas Extraction Workshop Summary (2014) / Chapter Skim
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3 Geographic Footprint of Shale Gas Extraction
3 Geographic Footprint of Shale Gas Extraction
Pages 17-26
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From page 17... ...
The second presentation describes federal efforts to assess the effects of shale gas production on U.S. geography, or its "geographic footprint." Both presentations feature examples using the Marcellus Shale, a source of natural gas reserves located in the Appalachian Basin.
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From page 18... ...
. Additional steel casing strings, blowout preventers, and other equipment are installed through the surface using a drilling mechanism and are cemented into place.
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From page 19... ...
This type of long, horizontally drilled well is common in the Marcellus Shale, which composes much of the Appalachian Basin region. The casing string is inserted and, similar to the surface casing, cement is pumped into the casing to isolate it.
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From page 20... ...
Christopher Portier began by asking if Shell has ever done a health impact assessment for shale gas extraction, to which Mr. Cole replied "yes." Bernard Goldstein asked if the tremendous increase in the ability to extract natural gas would continue, and if states that began these activities earlier are receiving as much economic benefit as those that waited for improved extraction technologies.
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From page 21... ...
In response to another question about how the target shale layer is drilled, Cole responded that directional drilling techniques allow the engineers to always know where the well is relative to the target location. In some cases, geosteering tools can be used.
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From page 22... ...
Dr. Focazio explained that one way the USGS measures geographic footprints is by surveying the aerial extent of the land and observing land changes associated with the activities.
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From page 23... ...
The local impact includes surface-level activity, such as land clearing and the construction of well pads or water storage facilities, which entails well site operations, ponds, and roads at the extraction site. The design of a shale gas extraction site is similar to what it is being used in oil and natural gas extraction, in terms of vehicles for transportation, the derrick, water lagoons, and water sources.
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From page 24... ...
In Pennsylvania, there are approximately 10,000 permits issued for shale gas extraction. The approximate land area of that geographic footprint is 76,000 acres.
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From page 25... ...
For the Marcellus Shale sites, sand mining is mostly done in the Midwest, primarily in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and transportation is mostly done by train. Sand mining has grown exponentially in the last decade with the increase in demand of natural gas and, as a consequence, the geographic footprint of shale gas extraction includes an even larger region.
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From page 26... ...
Throughout the discussion, Dr. Focazio reiterated that measuring the geographic footprint of shale gas extraction requires science that considers the comprehensive activities of hydraulic fracturing and the related health and safety consequences.
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