Special Issue on Environmental Impacts of Shale Gas Development

Abstract

Shale oil and gas holds great promise as a newly accessible domestic source of energy. Shale gas is expected to grow from 23% of total U.S. dry gas production (in 2010) to more than 49% in 2035 [U.S. Energy Information Administration (U.S, EIA) 2012]. Many shale gas basins in the United States have great potential, including the Fayetteville in Arkansas, the Haynesville in Louisiana and Texas, and the Marcellus in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Similarly shale oil basins including the Bakken (North Dakota) and lhe Eagle Ford (Texas) will contribute to the U.S. oil supply over the coming decades. The potential economic benefits are significant, with estimates of $5.1 trillion in capital expenditures related to the industry between 2012 and 2035 (IHS Global Insight 2012), Engineering and technological development has paved the way for this shale energy transformation through the use of directional drilling and high volume hydraulic fracturing. Similarly, research into the potential adverse impacts of shale development has increased significantly over the past few years, Research has focused on impacts on water (Vidic et al. 2013; Olmstead et al, 2013), air (Pacsi et al.2013; Roy et al.2014), human health (Korfmacher et al. 2013; Finkel snd Law 2011), and ecology (Entrekin et al. 2011; Drohan et al.2012).