The latest buzz here in Northeastern Pennsylvania here in the last few months revolves around revised estimates of natural gas potential residing in the Marcellus Formation, which is a deep layer of black shale running throughout southern New York State, across Pennsylvania and into Ohio and West Virginia.
Per Wikipedia, the Marcellus Formation is believed to contain as much as 500 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, 10% of which may be recoverable using current technologies.
Notably here in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Marcellus Formation is exceptionally thick, with some areas up to 350 feet thick - the map illustrates the extent of the Marcellus formation in grey, with isopach lines denoting layer thickness.
In terms of stratigraphy, the Marcellus Formation is part of the Hamilton Group, lying deep, however far deeper gas deposits are currently being developed elsewhere in the world.
While the economic boom is welcome - with one potential outcome being preservation of farmlands and forestlands in Northeastern Pennsylvania - in an area which has been struggling for some time, and while this deposit becomes a welcome find in an imminent energy crisis, the longer-term pros and cons are yet to be known - specifically, what are the potential environmental impacts, to aquifers, of hydrofracturing, impacts of surface activities - what needs to be done in terms of pipeline infrastructure, and so on...
The Marcellus Shale Formation and Pennsylvania's Natural Gas Boom
On
5/05/2008 10:19:00 AM
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Categories:
Appalachians
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energy
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geology
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natural gas
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Pennsylvania
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stratigraphy
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Yeah, it has been active around here about that. Mainly people are concerned about how much they can get from the exploration and mineral rights.
Mainly I am looking into if the local streams have enough glacial deposits to make it worth panning for gold.
Maybe you should help find a way to make Americans less energy dependent.
Extraction of natural gas can be done with little or no impact on the enviro. We need to balance the needs of enviroment against energy or we will end up shivering in the dark. Drill!Drill!Drill!
Do you happen to know how I could get a copy of the marcellus shale formation Gis layer? I really just need an outline. Thanks!
Could you please point me in the direction of a GIS layer of the Marcellus shale in Pennsylvania?
Thanks!
Hi folks,I am hoping somebody can help me.I am looking for the names of corporations involved with surveying the earth's surface so that pipelines can be laid.I used to work in this field but it has been years since doing so.I am trying to get back into the industry.Please help me out.Anybody/everybody!!!Thanks and Godspeed!!!
This was posted 2008 and now we can say that it has been a success for everyone. It has created jobs and more gas.
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Thank you for sharing your stuff on blog. It is doubtless that we have similar interests. Something are very helpful to me.
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The Marcellus Shale in neighboring Pennsylvania had proven to be the largest shale-gas play on Earth, so why not expect the same or even more from the Utica Shale here in Ohio? Web Design Bangalore
The government should concern about the point where natural gas has been found and where it's not. The Pennsylvania GIS Portal has been located all the point which you may see on the map.