The environmental issues associated with producing unconventional oil Research Paper

The environmental issues associated with producing illegitimate oil color and brag - Research Paper compositors caseThe US Government, federal regulatory authorities, the industry operators, NGOs along with environmentalists are therefore enmeshed in discussions as to the best way forward into this relatively new field, by addressing the concerns of all the stakeholders involved. gate Recent advances in technology have made it possible to drill natural gas from duncical reservoirs turn up in energy rich field of battles of the United States. These displaces are being termed unconventional fuel sources and give way to around 25% of the fuel consumed in the US. This unconventional source is comparatively a cleaner fuel and produces less greenhouse gas emissions. However data collected in the recent past essay that prolonged GHG emissions have implications on health and environment apart from increasing the carbon footprint. Studies conducted have forego to a new method of calculating GHG emissions and these are now being used by the US Environment Protection Agency, post 2011.These calculations with its additional factors have increased the GHG emissions count significantly but are still quite green when compared to other energy sources. To an extent these emissions are being controlled by mixed methane mitigation strategies. Various programs under the EPA framework are also being brought in to persuade operators in emission control. However lack of concrete data as to the extent of emissions has meant that scientists are still arduous to ascertain the impact of these unconventional energy sources on health and environment. Source Ritter Karin and Emmert Amy, US natural gas production history, 2013 Techniques in natural gas production Different types of geologic formations present different types of oil reservoirs. Porous rock allow for easy flow of oil into a conventional reservoir spot shale and sandstone prevents the same because of its low per meability. These kinds of hard rock formations entraining oil and gas can sometimes be located up to 11000 feet beneath the surface. Baken in North Dakota has significant reserves located deep underground its shale formations which deny large basins of geologically depressed areas. (GAO, 2012) Comparing it to the conventional sources, extracting unconventional oil and gas calls for robust adept knowhow and complex knowledge of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracture techniques. Some of the activities involved in extracting unconventional oil and gas are similar to those carried in conventional drilling. Source GAO, Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing in unconventional shale formations, 2012 Siting and site preparation involves identifying a potential site for drilling and clearing the area of vegetation. (GAO, 2012) Access roads are laid step up and pipelines laid for transport of this gas to an interim containment. In case of abundance of deposits storage tanks may a lso be built at site for storing of the drill oil. Drilling, casing and cementing involve installing the steel pipe called casing into the drilled hole and cementing it into place. The drilling is carried out progressively and with each depth additional steel pipe is lowered. The casing is intended to prevent the confine in the well from coming into contact with the outer water table which might lead to contamination. (GAO, 2012)