GSA Publishes New Book: "Unconventional" #energy #natgas

Cover caption: Marcellus Shale well site in Greene County, Pennsylvania. Photo taken in 2010 by Tom Mroz, U.S. Department of Energy (retired).

The Geological Society of America announced publication of Unconventional: The Development of Natural Gas from the Marcellus Shale. The book is published to examine shale gas use amid criticism from environmental groups and activities.

NAS: Unconventional Hydrocarbon Development – Workshop and Webcast Dec. 1-2

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will hold a two-day public workshop to explore how to best manage long-term risks in areas with unconventional oil and gas development. The workshop will examine the life-cycle development of these fields, including decommissioning and reclamation of wells and related surface and pipeline infrastructure, and fluid injection and its relationship to induced seismicity.

House passes bill amending the Natural Gas Act

H.R. 8, or the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act, passed the House on December 3, 2015.

Maryland imposes 2-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing

With the passage of a new bill, the state of Maryland will not allow hydraulic fracturing until October 1, 2017.

Bicameral push would give DOI discretion over pipeline permits through national parks

Members of the House and Senate have introduced bills that would give the Department of the Interior (DOI) authority over natural gas pipeline permitting on federal lands in lieu of congressional oversight.

GAO releases report on oil and gas monitoring and venting

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) regulations regarding royalty payments and measurement standards for onshore oil and gas production.

New Report Identifies Possible Next Steps in U.S. Energy Development

Scientific and technologic advances related to hydraulic fracturing have dramatically increased the supply of U.S. oil and gas; because of this, a methane economy – in which natural gas provides the leading share of primary energy consumption – is now a possible scenario for U.S. energy development.

EARTH Magazine: Hundreds of Methane Seeps Discovered Along the U.S. East Coast

The discovery of hundreds of methane seeps on the seafloor along the U.S. East Coast suggests that hydrocarbon reservoirs may be more common along passive margins than previously thought. The release of such methane globally may have a significant influence on climate, scientists say.

Critical Issues Forum: The Benefits and Risks of a U.S. Methane Economy

The Critical Issues Forum “America’s Increasing Reliance on Natural Gas: Benefits and Risks of a Methane Economy” will be held in Fort Worth, Texas from November 19-20, 2014.

Geoscience-Energy Consortium holds briefing on the importance of geoscience in oil and gas development

On May 22, the Geoscience-Energy Briefing Consortium, which includes the American Geosciences Institute, held two briefings for congressional Senate and House staff entitled “Oil and Gas Development: How Geoscience Makes a Difference.”

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