Marcellus ShaleA Pennsylvania – Land Trust Perspective

Presentor

Mr. Brian Oram, PG Mr. Brian Oram, PG Professional Geologist, Soil Scientist, Professional Geologist, Soil Scientist,

PASEO, Certified Geothermal Installer, Licensed Well DrillerPASEO, Certified Geothermal Installer, Licensed Well Driller

Wilkes University Wilkes University Center for Environmental Quality Center for Environmental Quality http://www.water-research.nethttp://www.water-research.net

Project Sponsors Wilkes University

http://www.wilkes.edu Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation &

Development Councilhttp://www.pnercd.org

C-SAW Program - Consortium for Scientific Assistance to Watersheds Program

http://pa.water.usgs.gov/csaw/

Center for Environmental Quality

Non-profit/ equal opportunity employer, is operated andNon-profit/ equal opportunity employer, is operated andmanaged, within the Department of Environmentalmanaged, within the Department of EnvironmentalEngineering and Earth Sciences at Wilkes UniversityEngineering and Earth Sciences at Wilkes University

Outreach Programs Outreach Programs Environmental and Professional Education and TrainingEnvironmental and Professional Education and Training Applied ResearchApplied Research Community and Business Outreach ProgramsCommunity and Business Outreach Programs

Website: http://www.water-research.netWebsite: http://www.water-research.net

What the NBLT Does?

Preserve the Beauty and Open landscapes that Preserve the Beauty and Open landscapes that Sustain Us.Sustain Us.

It is a Conservation OrganizationIt is a Conservation Organization Preserve Property, Promote Healthy CommunitiesPreserve Property, Promote Healthy Communities Develop Long-Term Grow Strategies Develop Long-Term Grow Strategies Accomplish Mission through – donation of land or Accomplish Mission through – donation of land or

development rights/subdivision rights or direct development rights/subdivision rights or direct purchase of development rights.purchase of development rights.

How Do You Manage or Maintain these Valuable Assets? Donations, Fundraisers, GrantsDonations, Fundraisers, Grants Do you timber harvest?Do you timber harvest? Do you harvest or grow biofuels?Do you harvest or grow biofuels? Do you permit hunting, fishing, or farming?Do you permit hunting, fishing, or farming? Do you conduct Environmental Education Do you conduct Environmental Education

Courses or Training Sessions? Courses or Training Sessions? Do you permit mineral resource extraction?Do you permit mineral resource extraction?

Marcellus Shale Photo

Outcrops Along theSoutheastern Border of Pike CountyAlong Route 209

Main Fracture Orientation

Geological Sequence

0 to 1.8 million years

Time

Quaternary – Glaciation

PeriodDeposit or Rock Type

sand, silt, clay, and gravel

1.8 to 290 million Tertiary to Permian Not present (eroded and weathered)

290 – 320 million Pennsylvanian

320 – 354 million

Mississippian

354 - 417 million Devonian

417 – 443 million Silurian

Catskill FormationTrimmers Rock FormationMahantango FormationMarcellus Formation(Black Shale)- TargetOnondaga Formation(calcareous sandy shale)

Mauch ChunkPocono and Spechty Kopf

Llewellyn (coal) and Pottsville ( minor coal)

OLDER

Marcellus Shale- Natural Gas Play50 to 200 trillion cubic feet

Luzerne County

Shale may be 50 to 200 feet thick

Source- Cabot – Marcellus Shale Thickness Map

This is why the term – Fairway is being used to describe the play.

Permitted Drilled Wells - 2009

3.4 mmcf/day

2.3 to 6.3 mmcf/day

1 MMcf = 1000 MMBtu $3.64 per MMBtu

$ 12,400/day$ 3000/day (25%)

$ 23,900/day$ 5900/day (25%)

Source: DUG Conference Presentation

Marcellus Shale Drilling Site

Pads can be 5+ acres – but one pad may support drilling multiple horizontal wells.

The Concerns (Partial List) Lack of Local and State Oversight-Lack of Local and State Oversight- Regulated on the Federal/ State Level – not via local zoning Regulated on the Federal/ State Level – not via local zoning

and land-use.and land-use. Mineral Owner or Gas Rights Out-weigh Mineral Owner or Gas Rights Out-weigh

Rights of Surface Owner Rights of Surface Owner Habitat– Loss of Crop or Timber Value- can be addressed in Habitat– Loss of Crop or Timber Value- can be addressed in

leaselease Potential for Contamination- address concerns during leasing Potential for Contamination- address concerns during leasing

or other processes and local unrelated ordiances and baseline or other processes and local unrelated ordiances and baseline testingtesting

Water ResourceWater Resource Air Quality – Noise Pollution- CompactionAir Quality – Noise Pollution- Compaction Local Agencies not prepared for this type of developmentLocal Agencies not prepared for this type of development

Concerns Related to Marcellus Shale

Based on Community Location – this could be a major Based on Community Location – this could be a major concern or major impact.concern or major impact.

In general, the concerns are related to the following:In general, the concerns are related to the following: Erosion and Sedimentation SystemsErosion and Sedimentation Systems Volume of Water Used In Hydrofracturing- 2 to 9 Volume of Water Used In Hydrofracturing- 2 to 9

million gallons per well.million gallons per well. Loss of Freshwater Aquifer or contamination by brine Loss of Freshwater Aquifer or contamination by brine

water and drilling fluids/ muds.water and drilling fluids/ muds. Drilling fluids may contain environmental Drilling fluids may contain environmental

contaminations (metals and organics).contaminations (metals and organics). Impacts to Roadways, Traffic, Tourism, and EcologyImpacts to Roadways, Traffic, Tourism, and Ecology Potential for Groundwater and Surface Water Potential for Groundwater and Surface Water

ContaminationContamination Spills and Spill ManagementSpills and Spill Management

This Zone should be cemented

Typical Well

Additional CementedZones

Multiple CementedCasing Used in Drilling Process

Groundwater Moves - Slowlyfeet per year

Confining BedSea Level

Stagnant Water – no to little flow

Saline/Brine Water

Injection Wells – Class IIClass II wells inject fluids associated with oil and natural gas production.Most of the injected fluid is salt water (brine), which is brought to the surfacein the process of producing (extracting) oil and gas.

Regulated by:EPA - http://www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/wells_class2.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/wells_class2.html

Does the UIC Program regulate hydraulic fracturing?Sometimes. The UIC Program regulates the following activities: Well injection of fluids into a formation to enhance oil and gas

production (Class II wells). Fracturing used in connection with Class II and Class V injection

wells to “stimulate” (open pore space in a formation). Hydraulic fracturing to produce methane from coal beds in Alabama.

Note: Class V wells are shallow wells that inject water into or above a freshwater aquifer. http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw000/uic/

Getting to The Natural Gas

5000 to 7000 feet

Up to a few thousand feet

Freshwater Well

Possible saline/brine/ connatewater

Types of Fluids

Top hole fluids – typically the water from the Top hole fluids – typically the water from the freshwater aquifer. This water from the first 600 freshwater aquifer. This water from the first 600 to 800 feet.to 800 feet.

Bottom hole fluids – brine or connate water.Bottom hole fluids – brine or connate water. Stimulation Fluids – fluid used to improve Stimulation Fluids – fluid used to improve

recovery (frac process)recovery (frac process) Production Fluids – water produced along the Production Fluids – water produced along the

natural gas release – similar to bottom hole fluid.natural gas release – similar to bottom hole fluid.

Active Marcellus Production Site – Frac Fluid Chemistry

Typically Frac Water is comprised of clean water with a low probably for scale formation, but treated effluents and other sources being evaluated. The components include:

Friction Reducer – anionic polymer high molecular weight(hold frac sand and other particles)

Wetting Agent- nonionic surfactant – reduce surface tension and improvefrac water flowback.

Biocides- control growth or regrowth of microorganisms.

Scale Inhibitor – phosphate based chemicals to inhibit precipitate formation and scale formation.

Arthur et. al., 2008 – All Consulting – “ Natural Gas Wells of the Marcellus Shale”, Presented at Groundwater Protection Council 2008 Annual Forum.

Available Frac Water ChemistryParameter Units Concentration PWS Multiplier

Aluminum mg/L 1.2 0.2 6

Arsenic mg/L 0.014 0.01 1.4

Barium mg/L 410 2 205

Iron mg/L 17 0.3 56

Manganese mg/L 0.89 0.05 17.8

Hardness mg/L 1750 500 3.5

T. Dissolved Solids mg/L 31324 500 62

Nirate @ N mg/L 90.1 44 2

pH su 6.73 6.5 - 8.5 oK

Bromide mg/L 61.8 0.01 6180

Chloride mg/L 27000 250 108

Gross Alpha pCi/L 223.3 15 15

Gross Beta mrem/yr (Sr) 38.65 4 10

Radium 228 pCi/L 18.55 5 4

Radium 226 pCi/L 69.63 5 14

Flowback Water Chemistry

Flowback water is generated from drilling and it is what gets produced from the first 5% of water returned after a well is started

May contain elevated levels of trace metals, nitrogen, bromide,uranium, and hydrocarbons. Most of the dissolved solids includeschloride and sodium.

Source: http://www.prochemtech.com/

Production WaterProduced water is wasted water that accompanies oil extraction and is high in saline. Typically, separated stored onsite and then hauled to treatment/disposal facility.

May contain elevated levels of trace metals, nitrogen, bromide, uranium, and hydrocarbons. Most of the dissolved solids includes chloride and sodium.

Source: http://www.prochemtech.com/

Background Testing and Baseline(Work as a Community !)

Test wells / springs/surfacewater within at least 1000 feet Test wells / springs/surfacewater within at least 1000 feet of proposed well location.of proposed well location.

If no wells on the property install or develop a baseline If no wells on the property install or develop a baseline monitoring program.monitoring program.

Test wells/springs/surfacewater along horizontal testing Test wells/springs/surfacewater along horizontal testing leg with a minimum of 500 feet radius from horizontal leg.leg with a minimum of 500 feet radius from horizontal leg.

Document static water levels, well production capacity, Document static water levels, well production capacity, and spring flowsand spring flows

Pre Drilling Baseline – within 6 months of starting a Pre Drilling Baseline – within 6 months of starting a production well.production well.

Post Drilling Testing – within 6 months of completion.Post Drilling Testing – within 6 months of completion.

Action as a Citizen Support proposed regulatory changes related to Marcellus Support proposed regulatory changes related to Marcellus

Shale DevelopmentShale Development Encourage PA State Government to Invest in Oversight, Encourage PA State Government to Invest in Oversight,

Increase Fees, and FinesIncrease Fees, and Fines Support Proposed Changes in TDS, Chloride, and Sulfate Support Proposed Changes in TDS, Chloride, and Sulfate

Discharge Regulations.Discharge Regulations. Use Organization To Properly Educate and Inform the Public, Use Organization To Properly Educate and Inform the Public,

Local Government, and work with Royalty Owner Groups.Local Government, and work with Royalty Owner Groups. Royalty Owner Group Members may be future Land Trust Royalty Owner Group Members may be future Land Trust

Clients.Clients.

Action as a Royalty Owner Get a Solid Lease with Addendums that Protect You and Surrounding Get a Solid Lease with Addendums that Protect You and Surrounding

Landowners.Landowners. Use Bonus Payment to Establish Additional Ecological/ Environmental Use Bonus Payment to Establish Additional Ecological/ Environmental

Baseline, Education Adjacent Landowners, and Leverage into Projects that Baseline, Education Adjacent Landowners, and Leverage into Projects that generate or support local issues and community.generate or support local issues and community.

Avoid the use of lined pits for storing frac, stimulation, and bottom hole Avoid the use of lined pits for storing frac, stimulation, and bottom hole fluids.fluids.

Encourage Driller to Use Multiple Cemented Casings, Third Party Inspects, Encourage Driller to Use Multiple Cemented Casings, Third Party Inspects, and Obtain Copies of Baseline Testing (Surface and Groundwater).and Obtain Copies of Baseline Testing (Surface and Groundwater).

Encourage Develop to Disclose Emergency Response Plan related to a Encourage Develop to Disclose Emergency Response Plan related to a surface or subsurface contamination.surface or subsurface contamination.

Prohibit on-site drilling, deep well inject for brine water disposal, and Prohibit on-site drilling, deep well inject for brine water disposal, and proper disclosure on water usage (cradle to grave) and frac chemicals.proper disclosure on water usage (cradle to grave) and frac chemicals.

Anticline

Fresh Water< 1000 mg/L

Brackish1000 to < 10,000 mg/L

Brine- > 10,000 mg/L

1200 + ft

600 + ft

Younger Older Younger

Water Well

TargetFormation

Sea Level

General Geology

Saline Water

Brine Water

Water Testing Recommendations

Package # 1 – Based on Penn State University Package # 1 – Based on Penn State University Recommendations and Workshops.Recommendations and Workshops.

Parameters: total coliform, e. coli, chloride, Parameters: total coliform, e. coli, chloride, barium, pH, and total dissolved solids.barium, pH, and total dissolved solids.

Estimated Cost w/o Chain-of-Custody and Estimated Cost w/o Chain-of-Custody and Collection – Collection – Approximately $ 120.00 /sample..

Very inadequate !Very inadequate ! Need to add at least methane/ethane !Need to add at least methane/ethane !

Water Testing RecommendationPackage # 2- Based on what the PADEP isPackage # 2- Based on what the PADEP isRecommendations.Recommendations. Chloride, Chloride, Total ColiformTotal Coliform, T. Hardness, Magnesium, Strontium, Iron, , T. Hardness, Magnesium, Strontium, Iron,

Manganese, pH, Sodium, Conductivity, Calcium, Alkalinity, Total Manganese, pH, Sodium, Conductivity, Calcium, Alkalinity, Total

Dissolved Solids, Barium, Oil & Grease, and Methane/EthaneDissolved Solids, Barium, Oil & Grease, and Methane/Ethane Estimated Cost w/o Chain-of-Custody and Collection – Estimated Cost w/o Chain-of-Custody and Collection –

Approximately $600.00 /sample.

Missing barium, MBAS, VOCs, radiologicals and other Missing barium, MBAS, VOCs, radiologicals and other key parameters and can not conduct geochemical mapping.key parameters and can not conduct geochemical mapping.

Water Testing RecommendationPackage # 3- Based on a combination of what local gas company’s arePackage # 3- Based on a combination of what local gas company’s aredoing as part of their background or baseline analysis, plus added totaldoing as part of their background or baseline analysis, plus added totalcoliform and pH.coliform and pH.

Alkalinity, pH, Total Coliform, Arsenic, Barium, Calcium, Alkalinity, pH, Total Coliform, Arsenic, Barium, Calcium, Chloride, Conductivity, T. Hardness, Iron, Magnesium, Chloride, Conductivity, T. Hardness, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Oil/Grease, Potassium, Sodium, Sulfate, Total Manganese, Oil/Grease, Potassium, Sodium, Sulfate, Total Dissolved Solids, MTBE/VOC’s (includes BTEX), Dissolved Solids, MTBE/VOC’s (includes BTEX), Sulfide, Nitrate, Ammonia, MBAS (Surfactants), Sulfide, Nitrate, Ammonia, MBAS (Surfactants), Methane/Ethane, and Total Suspended Solids.Methane/Ethane, and Total Suspended Solids.

Estimated Cost w/o Chain-of-Custody and CollectionEstimated Cost w/o Chain-of-Custody and Collection$ 950.00 per sample

Problem – Does not include Strontium, Bromide, Selenium, and radiological.Problem – Does not include Strontium, Bromide, Selenium, and radiological.

Water Testing RecommendationsPackage # 4 Based on Gas Company Background Testing and areview of the chemical analysis of used Frac Water.

pH, standard plate count, total coliform, nitrate, nitrite, alkalinity, chloride, bromide, sulfate, color, odor, conductivity, corrosion index, alpha/beta count, T. Hardness, Mercury, trace metals (IOC Metals), strontium, potassium, regulated VOC’s & MTBE, Radium 226/ 228, Ammonia

Total Dissolved Solids, secondary drinking water parameters, Uranium, Radon in Water, Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen, total suspended solids, MBAS, Methane/Ethane , Oil/ Grease, and Sulfide.

Estimated Cost w/o Chain-of-Custody and Collection $ 1950.00 per sample.

Estimated Cost without the radiological w/o Chain-of-Custody and CollectionEstimated Cost without the radiological w/o Chain-of-Custody and Collection – – $ 1500.00 per sample..

Comprehensive – Water Testing Package – Still missing phenol, Comprehensive – Water Testing Package – Still missing phenol, 2-Butanone, Acetone, and other trace contaminants in frac water brine2-Butanone, Acetone, and other trace contaminants in frac water brine

Certificate of CompletionPresented to

Fill in Your NameIntroduction to Environmental

Issues for Natural Gas Development for Land Trusts

1– hour Education Series

Presented by

Mr. Brian Oram, PG

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B.F. Environmental ConsultantsDallas, PA 18612

http://www.bfenvironmental.com

Groundwater and Hydrogeology ofLuzerne County, PA

Hydrogeological Assessments

Soils EvaluationCommunity Education Outreach

http://www.water-research.net