The Marcellus shale is a large underground land formation in the eastern United States, containing significant natural gas reserves. New technologies, such as fracturing, have made it easier to access these resources, but there are significant environmental concerns. State and local governments work to minimize these concerns while maximizing the benefits of natural gas extraction.
The Marcellus shale is a large underground land formation that spans much of the eastern United States. Trapped within the rock are precious energy resources, such as gas or coal, which were difficult to access in previous years. Interest in soil formation is peaking as new technologies make it easier to access these trapped resources. As with any beneficial energy extraction process, there are significant environmental concerns.
The large volume of sedimentary rock, known as Marcellus shale, covers much of the subterranean portion of the Appalachian Basin. It is found under sections of Ohio, West Virginia, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania with depths reaching approximately 7,000 feet (2,133 meters) in some areas. The Marcellus Formation is composed of fine-grained clay minerals, fragments of quartz and calcite. There could be as many as 516 trillion cubic feet (14.6 trillion cubic meters) of natural gas trapped within the vertical joints of the rock formation.
Interest in shale is growing because there is enough natural gas trapped inside the rock to power the US East Coast for 14 years. New technology and the construction of the Millennium Pipeline made gas trapped within the Marcellus shale accessible. Energy companies are also inventing new processes, such as fracturing, to access the gas trapped inside the rock. The fracturing process forces water and chemicals into the rock, putting pressure on it and causing it to crack. Companies can then reach gas reserves using more traditional methods of vertical and horizontal drilling.
There are significant environmental concerns surrounding the extraction and transportation of natural gas from Marcellus shale. Protecting natural habitat for plants and animals is a concern as ecosystems can be destroyed where new drilling sites are built. Additionally, the chemicals used in the fracturing process can harm the environment by leaching into water supplies. Some studies have shown that the rift can cause small to medium-sized earthquakes, which can harm local communities.
State and local governments in the Marcellus Shale region work diligently to minimize environmental concerns and maximize the benefits of natural gas extraction. As a result, cities and states in the region enjoy increased revenue in the form of various taxes. There is increased employment available in states where drilling is possible and landowners benefit from the sale or lease of land rights.
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