Marcellus Shale Development Practices

Let there be clear and open study and discussion of how the Marcellus Shale is being developed.  This includes the current emotional debate over "fracking".  Get it all out in the open to challenge and appease the often irrational critics.  Let there be public debate.  The benefits of development far outweigh the cost.  Don't let the fear-mongers dominate the issue.  The following represents a good move in that direction.
Peter

May 3, 2012 | PERMALINK | @MarcellusGas What They’re Saying About the MSC’s Recommended Practices Canonsburg, PA – Last week, the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) released the first in a series of forthcoming recommended practices (RP). This ongoing and collaborative work is aimed at enhancing the region’s economy and responsibly developing American natural gas with industry-leading environmental safeguards and technologies, an affirmation of our Guiding Principles. In several major Pennsylvania newspapers this week, the MSC reinforced the importance of this initiative. Here’s what they’re saying about the first RP on site planning, development and restoration: ·         “Marcellus Group 'Raises Bar' With Conservation Guidelines”: The Marcellus Shale Coalition's "recommended practices" are guidelines rather than requirements, and address site planning, development and restoration. Still-planned guidelines will focus on areas such as air quality and water management. A 34-page document, released on April 26, recommends 11 steps for operators, from identifying sites for gas installations, to monitoring, maintenance and repair. The coalition said it sought guidance from member companies and other stakeholders to come up with standards that make sense operationally and environmentally. "These content-rich guidance documents represent a level of detail and transparency derived from many sources which will be updated and refined as development continues," said MSC chairman Dave Spigelmyer, in a statement. (AOL Energy, 4/28/12) ·         “Marcellus Trade Group Issues Recommended Practices For Site Work”: The Marcellus Shale Coalition released the first document April 26 in a series of "recommended practices" documents aimed at providing guidance on a range of subjects. "These content-rich guidance documents represent a level of detail and transparency derived from many sources which will be updated and refined as development continues," said Dave Spigelmyer of Chesapeake Energy, chairman of the Canonsburg, Pa.-based trade group. The first document, "Recommended Practices: Site Planning, Development and Restoration," is based on operational best practices already recognized by MSC members as well as on recommendations developed through consultation with leading sportsmen and conservation groups, according to an overview. (West Virginia State Journal, 4/27/12) MSC President Kathryn Klaber Discusses the Recommended Practices on PCN-TV   Click HERE to view this segment online. ·         “Industry Coalition Offers First Take on Best Practices”: The Marcellus Shale Coalition, a natural gas industry group, last week released the first of a series of reports outlining the best voluntary industry practices for hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling in the Appalachian basin. The reports, drawn up by teams of coalition members in consultation with leading sportsmen and conservation groups, outline recommended practices for developing natural gas resources while addressing environmental concerns and working with local landowners, according to MSC Chairman Dave Spigelmyer of Chesapeake Energy Corp. (E&E News, 4/30/12) ·         “Industry Group Releases Suggestions For Natural Gas Development In Marcellus Shale”: The Marcellus Shale Coalition, a trade group of oil and gas companies, released Thursday operational suggestions it hopes will standardize how the oil and natural gas industry approaches future drilling operations. … The coalition's recommended practices touch on how companies could develop a lease and how they should go about restoring the landscape once a well is shut and decommissioned. … "From site identification, to safety, communications, landowner engagement and eventual reclamation, this guidance document is the first of many that the coalition will release in the coming months - all of which are designed to increase awareness and share ideas and practices that work while continuing to raise the bar on responsible natural gas development across the region," said coalition president Kathryn Klaber. (International Business Times, 4/26/12) # # #

Rational Fracking Standards

I see nothing wrong with having operators follow rational, truthful, and sensible practices when hydraulically fracturing (fracking) dense rocks deep underground to increase the production of oil and gas.  I think the companies involved are wise to confront this issue openly, politely, factually, and persistently.
Peter

Big Natural Gas Producers Set Voluntary 'Fracking' Standards

Published May 01, 2012

Dow Jones Newswires

WASHINGTON – Nearly a dozen major energy companies, including Chevron Corp. (CVX) and Royal Dutch Shell (RDSA.LN, RDSA), have developed standards for hydraulic fracturing in the Appalachian region as federal regulators look to answer environmental concerns with tightened drilling rules.

The companies released the standards Tuesday, saying their shared set of voluntary practices demonstrates the industry's commitment to responsible drilling.

The industry-led effort coincides with an aggressive push by the Obama administration to develop national rules for hydraulic fracturing, a popular method for extracting natural gas, amid a boom in natural gas production.

The Environmental Protection Agency released rules in April designed to control methane and organic chemicals from "fracked" wells and the Interior Department is in the process of writing rules for hydraulic fracturing on public lands.

Oil and natural gas companies say the states are doing an adequate job of regulating hydraulic fracturing. They criticize the Obama administration for launching multiple, and potentially overlapping, efforts to study or regulate the practice.

The standards released Tuesday address best practices for drilling, well design, water use and equipment use. They also include ways to reach out to residents who live near natural gas production sites, often the most vocal opponents of hydraulic fracturing.

Hydraulic fracturing involves the use of high-pressure water, sand and chemicals to break open seams in shale rock, making it easier to extract natural gas.
Copyright © 2012 Dow Jones Newswires

Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/news/2012/05/01/big-natural-gas-producers-set-voluntary-fracking-standards/#ixzz1tp6D5e6x