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Environmental Issues Associated with Oil and Natural Gas Extraction,
Transport and Processing in the Marcellus and Utica Shale Region of
OhioJoe Bonnell, Program Director
School of Environment and Natural Resources
Environmental Issues
• Well pad and access road construction• Drilling and completion• Finishing (hydraulic fracturing)• Transportation (truck traffic to/from site)• Pipeline construction• Processing of oil and natural gas
Well pad and access road construction
Credit: Marcellus-shale.us
Issues associated with well pad and access road construction
• Potential loss of habitat – 3-15 acres for the pad– Additional acres for access roads
• Sedimentation and erosion• Visual impact
Issues associated with drilling
Credit: OEPA at http://www.epa.state.oh.us/Portals/0/general%20pdfs/Ohio%20Regulations%20-%20A%20Guide%20for%20Operators%20Drilling%20in%20the%20Marcellus%20and%20Utica%20Shales.pdf
From ODNR – Geological Survey: http://geosurvey.ohiodnr.gov/portals/geosurvey/Energy/Marcellus/The_Marcellus_Shale_Play_Wickstrom_and_Perry.pdf
From ODNR Geological Survey: http://geosurvey.ohiodnr.gov/portals/geosurvey/Energy/Utica/UticaShale_WellPrototype_diagram.pdf
Issues associated with drilling
• Vehicular traffic– Erosion, dust, and soil compaction – Air pollution (diesel exhaust, flaring and
venting)– Noise
• Noise and light pollution• Spills (e.g., oil, fuels & lubricants)
Issues associated with drilling
• Wastes– Drilling mud and drill cuttings– Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material
(NORM)– TENORM (technologically enhanced NORM)
• Groundwater contamination– Natural gas & other naturally occurring
contaminants
Hydraulic Fracturing
Worksite during blending and pumping of hydraulic fracturing fluids
Photo from Occupational Safety and Health Administration website: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/oilandgas/well_completion/well_completion.html#pumping
From USEPA at http://www2.epa.gov/hfstudy/hydraulic-fracturing-water-cycle#ftn7
The Hydraulic Fracturing Water Cycle
Credit: Marcellus-shale.us
Issues associated with hydraulic fracturing
• Seismic activity• Air pollution (e.g., compressor engines)
• Water supply for hydraulic fracturing– 3-6 million gallons/well
• Groundwater contamination– Hydraulic fracturing fluids– Other naturally occurring contaminants
Issues associated with hydraulic fracturing
• Flowback and Produced water– Brine– Hydraulic fracturing fluids
• Disposal of wastewater (deep injection wells)– Seismic activity– Ground water contamination– Accidents, spills, illegal dumping in transit
Other general concerns associated with drilling
• Fires and explosions• Release of toxic fumes (e.g. volatile
organic compounds)
Pipelines
Credit: Marcellus-shale.us
Credit: Marcellus-shale.us
Issues associated with pipelines
• Erosion and sedimentation• Soil disturbance and re-vegetation
(especially on crop and pasture land)• Habitat loss
– Forest fragmentation– Stream crossings– Wetlands
Issues associated with pipelines
• Right-of-way maintenance– Tree trimming, mowing, herbicide application
• Compressor stations (noise, vibration)• Leaks
Processing facilities
Credit: Marcellus-shale.us
Credit: Marcellus-shale.us
Issues associated with processing facilities
• Sediment from rainwater runoff • Spills• Air pollutants
– Leaking fumes– Flaring
• Vehicular traffic• Noise and light pollution
The Wildcard: Cumulative Effects
For more information:
For more information:
http://serc.osu.edu/osu-extension/shale-library/environmental-impacts
Well water interpretation tool
http://ohiowatersheds.osu.edu/well-educated-ohio/well-water-interpretation-tool
