Piping Hot News from Marcellus Shale

Marcellus Shale Committee Responds to Newspaper's Claims

The Marcellus Shale play, a source of natural gas in the Appalachian Basin, has lots of goings on. First, the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette wrote a story that Marcellus Shale had something to do with toxic alien algae found in Dunkard Creek. A representative from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection claims the algae killed thousands of fish and other aquatic life in 30 miles of Dunkard Creek.

The story goes on to say that "a coalition of environmental, watershed and sportsmen's organizations, the Pennsylvania Campaign for Clean Water, is calling on the EPA to stop all gas well drilling discharges into Dunkard Creek and require Marcellus shale gas drilling operations to document where they are disposing of all wastewater."

The Marcellus Shale Committee response issued a statement indicating there has been no drilling activity near the algae's location. The committee goes on to say it's willing to work with the state and federal agencies in their investigations.

Marcellus Shale Announcements and Natural Gas Education

Range Resources recently announced, “from inception, Range has drilled 77 horizontal Marcellus Shale wells, of which 60 have been completed and 54 are on production. The Company expects to drill and case approximately 20 additional horizontal wells in the Marcellus Shale play during the fourth quarter 2009 and carryover approximately 20 of these for completion in 2010. The Marcellus division is currently running a total of four horizontal rigs. We anticipate entering 2010 with six custom-built horizontal rigs.” Additionally Range has appointed a vice president of engineering and a vice president of government and regulatory affairs in the Marcellus Shale Division.

Velocity Energy Inc. acquires natural gas wells in West Virginia.

Penn State is holding the Marcellus Shale Workforce Forum on December 7 and 8 at the Blair County Convention Center. The forum addresses the Shale's impact on workforce needs and employment opportunities. The Forum consists of state agencies, workforce educational organizations, providers and institutions related to the natural gas industry. Breakout sessions will discuss meeting workforce demands and experiences of other natural gas plays.

Marcellus Shale Education and Training Center (MSETC) has a partnership with Penn State "to provide both the regional community and the natural gas industry with a central resource for workforce development and community education needs related to Marcellus Shale gas." The program offers natural gas-related career courses.

It's exciting when we hear about mainstream colleges like Penn State taking an interest in natural gas and oil to gear up for employment and workforce training. You can catch great stories and background on Marcellus at Northeastern Pennsylvania's Times Leader.