Natural Gas Drilling in Marcellus Shale Region - Essay Example

?Natural Gas Drilling in Marcellus Shale Region – Environmental Impact Introduction This paper would be focusing on the adverse impact that the natural gas drilling operations of the Marcellus Shale Region will be exerting on the environment. In fact, it (paper) would particularly emphasize upon the damaging effects that the operations are going to cause to the Delaware River. Subsequently, the essay would briefly speak about couple of programs that are aimed at combating the above environmental impact. Natural gas drilling operations in the zone – Background Before going into the background details about these natural gas drilling operations, it would be of immense help in having an understanding as to what actually Marcellus shale means. Marcellus shale is organic rich and carbonaceous shale of lesser density, and which is found under the subsurface of the regions of West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. As a matter of fact, tiny parts of Kentucky, Maryland, Virginia and Tennessee have also been found to be having Marcellus shale. (1) Almost till the recent past, the avenue of geology hardly considered Marcellus shale to be a primary natural gas source. Even though drilling of wells was carried out at that time itself, yet, the quantity of natural gas produced was too small to be generating any interest in Marcellus shale, for the geologists. During that period, no one could anticipate that natural gas produced from Marcellus would constitute a major chunk of the entire supply (of natural gas), of the US. (1) It was in the year 2002 that the Geological Survey of the United States ascertained that untapped natural gas present in the Marcellus shale was to the tune of 1.9 trillion cubic feet. Subsequently, the natural gas drilling operations were initiated by Appalachia, LLC in Washington and Pennsylvania, in the year 2003. The supply of natural gas discovered by this company was highly impressive. After that, there has been a rapid growth in the drilling activities in the regions having Marcellus shale. In fact, it has been estimated that as of the year 2007, well over 375 gas wells were authorized in the zone of Pennsylvania. (1) Numerous companies are now conducting drilling operations in the Marcellus shale regions. North Coast Energy, Range Resources, Equitable Production Company, Fortuna Energy and Atlas Energy Resources, to name a few, are some of the players endeavoring to benefit by the potential of Marcellus shale. It has been calculated that as of the year 2010, the number of wells that have been drilled in the zones (with Marcellus shale) is about 1386. Some sections of the natural gas sector are strongly opining that wells of Marcellus shale would yield natural gas enough to assure profits to companies, at least for the next few decades. (1) Environmental Effects The surge in natural gas drilling operations in the Marcellus shale zones is undoubtedly addressing the all-important issue of unemployment. As a matter of fact, it is being projected that during the course of the next decade approximately 20, 000 jobs would be generated, courtesy the natural gas drilling. Yet, it needs to be admitted that, all that is not without exercising an adverse effect on the environment. (2) In this context, it has to be mentioned that almost all the natural gas drilling companies are now relying on the advanced processes of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing. In these processes, several wells are drilled at the same spot and water to the extent of five million gallons is used for each well. Here, the disturbing fact is that there are hardly any companies that recycle the water. In fact, at least as of now, the process of hydraulic fracturing does not come under the purview of the Clean Water Act. (2) The various rivers and water bodies that are there in the zones of Marcellus shale add further beauty to the locales. And these very water bodies are being adversely impacted by the huge quantities of used water resulting from drilling operations. It is now the need of the hour that tough laws are initiated at the earliest making it mandatory for recycling of used water in a specified manner. The used water also includes various elements of the shale, many of which imperil the health of people. (2) It has also been observed that companies that do not carry out recycling of waste water are directing it (used water) towards wastewater treatment plants or coal mines. At this juncture, it needs to be highlighted that the aforesaid wastewater treatment is not effective, for it fails to eliminate the metals from water. It is highly perturbing to note that, there is no guarantee that all those chemicals would not go on to contaminate the drinking water, and thereby posing a serious threat to well being of the people. (2) In addition, it is being estimated that, till now, out of the 2.1 million acres of forest present on the Marcellus shale zone, the government has permitted drilling operations in roughly 1.5 million acres. It is but obvious that most of the forest land would be destroyed for the purpose of carrying out drilling operations. And it also has to be stated that, if prompt regulatory measures are not initiated, even the rest of the forest area would be used for natural gas exploration. (2) Impact on the Delaware River The ever-increasing gas drilling operations would have a highly negative impact on the Delaware River, and there indeed is a valid reason for stating so. Out of the entire basin of the river, about 36 percent comes under the Marcellus shale zone. As a matter of fact, this part of the river basin is also inclusive of Schuylkill River, which is the main tributary (of Delaware River). In this regard, a highly relevant fact warrants special mention. Both these rivers supply water to 1.5 million denizens of the region of Philadelphia. (3) If the natural gas drilling continues to rise at the same rate, it is then inevitable that the well-being of the citizens of Philadelphia would be severely jeopardized. The people of the state (Philadelphia) would be reeling under the grave effects of things such as water depletion and water contamination. For, the commercial activities in the Marcellus shale region would be directly and gravely affecting both Delaware and also the Schuylkill Rivers. (3) It is being projected that well over 30, 000 wells of natural gas would be coming up in the basin of Delaware River, over the succeeding few years. In light of that, if prompt remedial measures are not initiated, it is then more or less unavoidable that an irreparable damage could be done to both of the aforementioned rivers (Delaware and Schuylkill). (3) At this juncture, a very crucial point needs to be emphasized upon. The entire water that moves out of the Delaware Basin flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Hence, it is but logical to conclude that all the contaminants resulting from the natural gas drilling would eventually find their way into the Atlantic (Ocean). Consequently, several regions that are located along the cost of the ocean would also be feeling the effects of drilling that is taking place at the distant Marcellus shale zone. A radioactive waste, a toxic spill and frack water pollutants, amongst others, denote as being some of the chief patterns in which the negative impact of natural gas drilling can be seen. (4) It also has to be highlighted that, whenever the natural conditions of a water body are disturbed, in the event of floods, the destruction is very severe. In fact, this devastation is much more horrifying than what it would have been, had the above-mentioned natural conditions not been disrupted. (4) If authorization related to exploration and drilling is granted to the existing proposals from the sector of natural gas, then, the relevant operations would get underway within a very short time span. In that case, it has to be admitted that the existing regulations and legal codes, etc, would be unable to face any unpleasant contingency, which is directly attributable to exploration and drilling. (4) Master Plan of Delaware County Despite the fact that though all the contents that have been focused upon in the paper, till now, point to several unpleasant aspects, from the perspective of environment, there is yet no reason to be overly pessimistic. There indeed is a brighter side to the things. In April 2009, the Planning Department of Delaware County came out with its “Darby Creek Stream Valley Park Master Plan”. This Master Plan is propelled by the primary objective of safeguarding the steep slopes, floodplain and the abundant vegetation found in the zone. It (Master Plan) would make sure that, by safeguarding the natural resources of the region, aspects such as water quality and flood control will also be successfully addressed. (4) Partnership for the Delaware Estuary In the year 1996, a nonprofit organization “Partnership for the Delaware Estuary” was formed for the purpose of playing a major role in safeguarding the environment of the Delaware Estuary. In fact, this nonprofit organization is amongst the 28 recognized estuary programs of the United States. It (this Initiative) is actively working in three states to enhance the awareness levels of Delaware Estuary, by providing scientific information. Conclusion This essay can be concluded on a positive note that, owing to initiatives such as the two that have been mentioned above; a near-perfect balance can be arrived at between the issues of natural gas drilling and environmental preservation. There is every reason to hope that the commercial endeavors (of gas exploration and drilling) would not be compromising on the all-important aspect of protecting the environment. The topic of this essay is an exhaustive one, and it is not possible to be covering all its aspects in a brief paper such as this one. Yet, a sincere attempt has been made to encompass the most salient of all the pertinent points. Sources 1) “Marcellus Shale – Appalachian Basin Natural Gas Play”, geology.com/articles/marcellus-shale.shtml, Internet, geology.com, 2011. 2) “What’s the Impact of the Marcellus Shale on our Environment?”, popcitymedia.com/features/marcellus060210.aspx, Internet, DEBRA DIAMOND SMIT, June 2010. 3) “Posts tagged Marcellus shale”, greentreks.tv/tag/marcellus-shale, Internet, GreenTreks Network, Inc., 2011. 4) “Guest Column: Protect the Delaware from gas drillers”, delcotimes.com/articles/2011/05/02/opinion/doc4dbdde9df11a1488682636.txt, Internet, ALAN SAMEL & TIMOTHY DEVANEY, May 2011. Read More