Abstract
According to some energy analysts, natural gas is “poised to enter a golden age” as a result of the availability and development of large volumes of new sources of unconventional natural gas, including coal bed methane, tight gas, and shale gas. Historically, natural gas production from unconventional reserves has been limited. In 2010, unconventional natural gas accounted for about 14 percent of total global natural gas production. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that by 2013 annual production from unconventional sources will triple and will represent about one-third of all natural gas production (IEA 2012). While North America, especially the United States and Canada, dominated unconventional gas production in 2010, growth in unconventional gas production is expected widely around the world (IEA 2012). China, in particular, is projected to experience major increases in production, becoming the second-largest producer after the United States. While shale gas accounts for the vast majority of growth in natural gas production, some growth is also projected for tight gas.
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Notes
- 1.
While The World’s Water volumes prefer to consistently use metric units, much of the research on water and fracking discussed here is based on work done in the United States, so we have opted to report the original units. For reference, one cubic meter contains 264.2 gallons. Additional conversion factors can be found in the Water Units, Data Conversions, and Constants section near the end of this book.
- 2.
An injection well is a site where fluids, such as water, wastewater, brine, or water mixed with chemicals, are injected deep underground into porous rock formations, such as sandstone or limestone, or into or below the shallow soil layer. Injection wells are used for long-term storage, waste disposal, enhancement of oil production, mining, and prevention of saltwater intrusion.
- 3.
States can adopt more stringent regulations if desired.
- 4.
Applications for at least twenty additional disposal wells are presently before the EPA (STRONGER 2010).
- 5.
This requirement will not be met by sediment discharges alone.
- 6.
States can implement stronger requirements if desired.
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Cooley, H., Donnelly, K. (2014). Hydraulic Fracturing and Water Resources. In: Gleick, P.H. (eds) The World’s Water. The World’s Water. Island Press, Washington, DC. https://doi.org/10.5822/978-1-61091-483-3_4
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