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 average lifetime of a shale oil or gas well varies highly. 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. The oil and gas industry is the largest industrial source of voc emissions in the u. 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. Marcellus shale and natural gas penn state extension.
What experts say about the environmental risks of shale gas. Legal and environmental issues find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. Potential health concerns air emissions vocs are one of the key ingredients in forming ozone smog. However, shale gas is controversial, with many people being opposed to it because of various sustainability issues associated with its exploitationand utilization. Unconventional oil and natural gas development us epa. Environmental impacts of shale gas extraction in canada. 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. Guidelines for environmental management during shale gas oil exploration and production 1. 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. Sohrab zendehboudi phd, alireza bahadori phd, ceng, in shale oil and gas handbook, 2017. This third forum was held to discuss the concerns associated with extracting gas from shale deposits. 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. 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. Environmental issues, climate changes, and energy security in developing asia benjamin k.
In pennsylvania, oil and gas wastewater is sometimes treated at brine treatment facilities and discharged to local streams. Summary of environmental issues, mitigation strategies, and regulatory challenges associated with shale gas development in the united states and. 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. Sep 05, 2012 estimates of the size of shale oil and gas resources in the united states by the energy information administration eia, u. Public discourse suggests a lack of consensus in the united states regarding the environmental impacts of shale 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.
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. Discover how the industry affects landowners and municipalities. Gas shale environmental issues and challenges fundamentals. Environmental issues, climate changes, and energy security in. Many gas companies have put forward shale gas a clean bridge fuel, to help ease the move to a wind and sunpowered future. Environmental impact of the oil shale industry wikipedia. 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. Environmental and health issues in unconventional oil and. It also presents a summary of regulations applicable to the natural gas production industry, and details the environmental considerations related to. This is causing a growing con cern in many governments and in the involved communities because very few extensive studies and information are available. The production of oil from shales has a potentially serious impact on the environment. Estimates of the size of shale oil and gas resources in the united states by the energy information administration eia, u.
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. 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. These technologies enable greater access to oil and natural gas in shale formations. 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. Research has determined that human health is affected. Apr 10, 2015 the environmental concerns about the effects of shale gas development can be grouped into five general categories. 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.
Shale oil and gas research institute, peking university, beijing 100871, china abstract. Impacts of shale gas wastewater disposal on water quality. Energy committee looks at shale gas environmental issues. 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. A report commissioned by the cooperative and undertaken by researchers at the tyndall centre, university of manchester. 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. An analysis of the environmental impacts of the extraction. 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. 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.
First, i would like to briefly discuss the geology and geochemistry of shales as. This study examined the water quality and isotopic. Shale gas and the environment carnegie mellon university. 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. Legal and environmental issues find, read and cite all.
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. 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. It also presents a summary of regulations applicable to the natural gas production industry, and details the environmental considerations related to shale gas development. Drilling for natural gas in the marcellus and utica shales. It is not an attorneyclient communication, is not intended to provide legal advice or assistance or to solicit or. 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. How shale gas is shaping energy security and environmental. Guidelines for environmental management during shale. Impact of shale gas development on water resources. The environmental concerns about the effects of shale gas development can be grouped into five general categories. Development, technology, and policy issues congressional research service 2 gas shale development takes place on both private and state lands. The problem is that gas is leaky and shale gas may be doubly so.
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. As an example, the ultimate estimated recovery eur for a natural gas well can range from a dry hole i. 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. Environmental impacts of hydraulic fracturing in shale gas. Request pdf on feb 1, 2014, barbara uliaszmisiak and others published shale and tight gas in poland. In texas, where similar gas shale development takes place, the rates are generally higher. Evaluating the environmental implications of hydraulic. Environmental, exploration and production applications of. Hydraulic fracturing and shale gas the earth times. Drilling and fracturing also produce large amounts of wastewater, which may. Water and air pollution are the biggest risks to human health from hydraulic fracturing.
Implications of shale gas development for climate change. 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. It should be stressed that a key issue in assessing these issues has been a paucity of reliable data. Environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing wikipedia. Explore the economic, business, and environmental impacts of the marcellus shale and natural gas industry. 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. Four specific areas of concern dominate discussion regarding development of the resource. This years forum was centered on the ongoing shale gas boom and how it is shaping energy security and environmental issues across the world. 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. In addition, the combustion and thermal processing generate waste material, which must be disposed. These techniques can have an impact on the environment if not properly handled. Environmental science and pollution research 2017, 24 17, 1457914594.
What experts say about the environmental risks of shale. Environmental issues, climate changes, and energy security. Ultimately, the purpose of hydraulic fracturing is to increase the permeability of the source rock to get oil and gas to. Shale gas exploration and production key issues and. Impacts of shale gas wastewater disposal on water quality in. The purpose of this policymaker guide is to take a systems approach to energy issuescollecting. Royalty rates, rents, and signing bonuses paid to state and private landowners vary. It is recognized that some states have been regulating natural gas development. Unconventional oil and natural gas play a key role in our nations clean energy future. Environmental impacts of natural gas union of concerned.
Shale gas and its implications for africa and the african. An analysis of the environmental impacts of the extraction of. 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. To do this, most operations follow these basic steps. A series of federal laws governs most environmental aspects of shale gas development. Below is a brief summary of some of the environmental issues surrounding shale gas development. 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.
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. The government regulations set for the shale oil and gas industry are still premature due to the. That matters because shale gas is mainly methane, a potent greenhouse gas. 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. October 16th, 20 marked the fifth anniversary of a joint annual forum presented by hitachi, ltd. Since hydraulic fracturing typically involves the use of large quantities of water and chemicals, associated risks for contamination of ground and surface waters. Environmental issues, climate changes, and energy security in developing asia.
In this lesson, we will look at the unique way natural gas is extracted from shale rock and the environmental concerns associated with it. 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. Hydraulic fracturing shale gas is a natural gas produced. Surface mining of oil shale deposits causes the usual environmental impacts of openpit mining.
1417 845 1345 404 578 1235 449 988 516 1438 153 451 310 278 945 1048 1336 1422 829 554 799 965 291 1251 1141 99 947 411 1112 728 682 1091