A Chance In Shale

IBD Editorials ^ | November 19, 2008

[Kaslin]

Energy: New drilling techniques may open up a 14-year supply of natural gas trapped in porous rock in the Northeast. That is, if environmentalists in New York and elsewhere don't keep it trapped in the ground.

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Natural gas is the cleanest of the fossil fuels, so clean that it is a key part of oilman T. Boone Pickens' plan to wean us off foreign sources of energy. Natural gas can fuel a new generation of automobiles that would help us achieve energy independence and at the same time contribute to a cleaner planet.

In the northeastern U.S., there is a massive expanse of porous rock called the Marcellus Shale Formation. It covers 54,000 square miles and stretches from southern New York to West Virginia. In the pores of this formation is trapped a huge quantity of natural gas. A nearby formation of Devonian shale is even more porous, with more trapped gas per volume of rock.

Penn State geologist Terry Engelder estimates that these formations could supply the nation's natural gas needs for 14 years. Advanced drilling techniques that shatter the 400-million-year-old rock and release the gas from its stone prison now make it more practical and economical to extract.

The latest technology, called "slick water fracturing," or fracking, blasts millions of gallons of water underground, opening and widening cracks that let the gas escape. Drilling has begun in Pennsylvania and West Virginia but is on hold until next year in New York, due in part to environmentalist opposition that is gathering in intensity and might spread to other states.

[Brian S. Fitzgerald]

Now again, energy costs come into play in consideration of new projects. I suppose a war in the middle east will send them up.

[ClearCase_guy]

What color are the states in the northeast ...?

Those are the folks who want us to huddle, cold and starving in caves.

[dirtbiker]

Those are the folks who want us to huddle, cold and starving in caves.

I think they should lead us by example, if that is the case.

Or, we could all live like Algore....

[ChetNavVet]

Let me play the devils advocate...

NO, you must not drill! You must not do anything that upsets the power structure...

Now on to those that seek true energy, most especiaaly that it’s very clean..

GO GO GO!!! Get it, do what ya gotta do!!!

Our nation sits upon reserves, we need to do what we gotta do..

I’m tired of hearing about this supposed energy crisis, when I KNOW that within our own borders we can fend for ourselves.

I’m tired that we send billions overseas, but I digress, It’s political...

[ANGGAPO]

You hit the nail with the hammer this time. But it will never happen in our lifetime because it will be found to be environmentally unfriendly. The environuts will keep it in court for years.

[ChetNavVet]

The Envirowhackos will persist,

Do Your worst , or your best..

THX