How far down is shale gas?

Shale gas deposits are regarded as commercially exploitable when the organic matter contained within the shale is of the right type — of marine origin — the net shale thickness exceeds 25 m and when it is found at a depth of more than 1500 m.

How deep is a fracking well drilled?

In simplified terms, the fracking process starts with a well that is drilled vertically or at an angle from the surface to a depth of 1 to 2 miles (1.6 to 3.2 kilometers) or more, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Which country has the largest shale gas reserves?

China
The US Energy Information Agency (EIA) estimates China holds the world’s largest shale reserves of 31.6 tcm (1,275 tcf) of technically recoverable shale gas reserves.

How much natural gas is left in the North Sea?

The Slochteren-1 well found gas in the Rotliegendes in 1959, although the full extent of what became known as the Groningen gas field was not appreciated until 1963—it is currently estimated at ≈96×1012 cu ft (2,700 km3) recoverable gas reserves.

Who owns Barnett Shale?

Banpu Kalnin Ventures
Banpu Kalnin Ventures Completes $570 Million Barnett Shale Cash Acquisition.

How deep are fracking wells horizontally?

This depth is usually 1000–3000 m below the surface [12]. Once this calculated depth is reached, the well begins to turn at an angle that is steadily increased until the well becomes parallel with the reservoir. Once the well is parallel with the reservoir, it is drilled until the desired length is reached.

What is the diameter of a fracking well?

Here’s how it’s done. First, a well is drilled into a target shale rock formation like the Marcellus shale underlying Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio. The borehole is about 12 to 20 inches in diameter.

Does Scotland have any oil left?

Statistics announced today by Scotland’s Chief Statistician show that oil and gas production in Scotland, including Scottish adjacent waters, is estimated to have been 77.2 million tonnes of oil equivalent (mtoe).

How many people can the Barnett Shale provide power for?

Oil industry advocates claim that by 2015 the Barnett Shale may be responsible for more than 108,000 jobs.

How deep are Marcellus Shale gas wells?

5,000 to 9,000 feet
Residential water wells reach an average depth of about 200 feet, but occasionally can reach depths of more than 500 feet. The direction of horizontal drilling follows the natural fractures of shale rock. A typical Marcellus Shale well is drilled 5,000 to 9,000 feet vertically and up to 10,000 feet horizontally.

Why is there no fracking in Europe?

Some of the conditions that ignited the U.S. shale boom don’t exist in Europe, nor in other regions for that matter. In most countries, private landowners don’t own the mineral rights to oil and gas in the ground: The state does. That means fracking won’t yield big financial rewards for local landowners.