NEW CASTLE —
So how much natural gas is in the Marcellus Shale?
And, specifically, how much is under Lawrence County?
But beyond that, how much is in the Utica Shale layer that lies below the Marcellus?
The answer to these questions is: We’re not sure. However, a recent report by some private analysts suggests the amount of gas is considerably greater than previously believed.
Reserves of natural gas in the shale layer are speculative. One reason is that it’s not evenly distributed throughout the shale.
When push comes to shove, the only way to determine with accuracy how much gas is present in a given area is by drilling for it.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration provides estimates about how much gas is in the Marcellus shale. And recently, it has been scaling back its numbers dramatically.
Earlier this year, it cut the estimates of Marcellus Shale natural gas reserves from 410 trillion to 141 trillion cubic feet — a huge drop.
But researchers for Standard and Poor’s say the Marcellus Shale may contain as much as half the known reserves of natural gas in the United States. And ITG Investment Research findings say the government’s estimates are “grossly understated.”
What’s more, the researchers say that the gas in the Marcellus Shale is more accessible and easier to recover than other deep gas resources in the United States.
If true, all of these findings suggest the Marcellus Shale — primarily under Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia — will become an even more desirable area for drilling and gas extraction.
What does this mean for Lawrence County? Again, the answer is unclear.
Right now, there are 45 shale gas wells that have been drilled in Lawrence County on 10 different properties. But we don’t know what has been found, because the drillers aren’t talking.
They don’t want to tip off the competition.
Yet we must presume they are finding enough gas to make it worth their while to continue drilling. Plus, the process of laying lines that’s now in progress in the county tells us there’s something worth piping.
We recognize the processes involving shale gas drilling are controversial. Drilling, fracking and pipelines cause friction between businesses and property owners. If the latest reports mean drilling operations will continue to expand in the county, conflicts and disputes likely will become more common.
These will have to be dealt with. But at the same time, the economic potential for Lawrence County and much of the rest of the region as a result of shale gas may be far more dramatic than previously envisioned. We await more specific data.
Marcellus Shale
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Discussion
Your Energy Future: Latest analysis suggests shale gas layer is richer than previously believed
- Marcellus Shale
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Meeting set on Marcellus drilling
The League of Women Voters of Lawrence County will sponsor a panel discussion on Marcellus drilling on Tuesday. The discussion on drilling and property values will begin at 6:30 p.m. at New Wilmington Methodist Church, 125 S. Mercer St.
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SRU to host shale summit
Slippery Rock University will host a summit Tuesday to educate local businesses about the Marcellus and Utica shale industry. The session, called Shale Summit II, will be a joint venture of the university, the Grove City Area and Butler County chambers of commerce and WISR/WBUT radio.
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Education Options, Part 2: Current shale boom casts new light on county’s economic future
Second of two parts: Welcome to the Industrial Revolution of 2013. The Marcellus Shale phenomenon has arrived with the promise of jobs and prosperity for an area in dire need of just such a miracle.
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Seismic testing to be discussed
Seismic testing for Marcellus Shale will be discussed Tuesday in New Wilmington. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at United Methodist Church, located at the corner of South Mercer Street and Neshannock Avenue.
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Shale Update: Gas from 2012 wells entering pipeline
Wells drilled a year ago in Lawrence County are producing natural gas that is entering a pipeline for consumers. Natural gas from the Marcellus Shale formation under Lawrence County is now being pumped from two wells on the Harry Patterson property in the New Beaver Borough area into a major pipeline and is being sold, said Joe Minnitte, case manager for Shell Exploration and Production Co.
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Township requests shale money for bridges
North Beaver Township could be the first municipality to spend county Marcellus shale funds earmarked for bridge repairs. The supervisors have requested $63,000 from Lawrence County’s Act 13 transportation funds, which — by law — are to be used for rehabilitation or replacement of county and municipal bridges.
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Commission approves shale pact for Pulaski game lands
The Pennsylvania Game Commission will allow Hilcorp Energy Co. to extract oil and gas from Pulaski Township state game lands. The eight-member board today unanimously approved a restricted surface use oil and gas cooperative agreement for two separate tracts, including 586 acres of state game land 150.
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Estate planning workshop to address shale issues
A free workshop on estate planning for shale gas leases is planned this month in Lawrence County. Estate Planning for Marcellus Shale Lease Holders, will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Shenango Township Volunteer Fire Hall, 2424 E. Washington St. It is being hosted by state Rep. Jaret Gibbons.
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Extension to review seismic tests, pipelines
A program on seismic testing, pipeline agreements and leasing will be offered three times next week. Penn State Extension and the Beaver-Lawrence Farm Bureau will present the program Tuesday in New Castle. It will be presented two more times on Thursday in Beaver County.
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Shell donation boosts Jameson project
Shell Appalachia’s search for natural gas will help fuel completion of Jameson Heath System’s emergency/surgical wing. Jameson is scheduled to take possession of its $20.3 million expansion Feb. 14.
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Meeting set on Marcellus drilling
