<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Shale gas production in the US, predominantly from the Marcellus shale, has been accused of methane emissions and contaminating drinking water under the suspicion that this is caused by hydraulic fracturing in combination with leaking wells. Misunderstandings of the risks of shale gas production are widespread and are causing communication problems. This paper discusses recent <bold>preliminary</bold> results from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) draft study, which is revealing fact-based issues: <italic>EPA did <bold>not</bold> find evidence that these mechanisms have led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources in the United States</italic>, which contrasts many broad-brushed statements in media and public. The complex geological situation and extraction history of oil, gas and water in the Marcellus area in Pennsylvania is a good case for learnings and demonstrating the need for proper analysis and taking the right actions to avoid problems. State-of-the-art technology and regulations of proper well integrity are available, and their application will provide a sound basis for shale gas extraction.</p></abstract>

Shale gas production in the US, predominantly from the Marcellus shale, has been accused of methane emissions and contaminating drinking water under the suspicion that this is caused by hydraulic fracturing in combination with leaking wells. Misunderstandings of the risks of shale gas production are widespread and are causing communication problems. This paper discusses recent preliminary results from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) draft study, which is revealing fact-based issues: EPA did not find evidence that these mechanisms have led to widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources in the United States, which contrasts many broad-brushed statements in media and public. The complex geological situation and extraction history of oil, gas and water in the Marcellus area in Pennsylvania is a good case for learnings and demonstrating the need for proper analysis and taking the right actions to avoid problems. State-of-the-art technology and regulations of proper well integrity are available, and their application will provide a sound basis for shale gas extraction.

The concept of well integrity in gas production activities

Upstream - Energy - Consulting, Germany; Institute of Petroleum Engineering, Technische Universität Clausthal, Adolph-Roemer-Strasse 2A, D-38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany

Ecological Chemistry and Engineering S

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":"The concept of well integrity in gas production activities"}

Shale gas production in the US, predominantly from the Marcellus shale, has been accused of methane emissions and contaminating drinking water under the...

The concept of well integrity in gas production activities

Published Online: Jul 07, 2016

Page range: 205 - 213

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/eces-2016-0013

Keywords
shale gas, environmental impact, produced water, flowback water

© 2016 Peter Reichetseder, published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The concept of well integrity in gas production activities

Published Online: Jul 07, 2016

Page range: 205 - 213

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/eces-2016-0013

Keywordsshale gas, environmental impact, produced water, flowback water

© 2016 Peter Reichetseder, published by De Gruyter Open

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
shale gas, environmental impact, produced water, flowback water