Good news on natural gas production

[FreeJoe]

[link:http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-09-17/methane-leakage-the-most-important-news-of-the-day#r=hp-ls|

The University of Texas on Tuesday morning released the results of a study suggesting that the amount of methane that escapes during the drilling of a natural gas well is about 1 percent, much less than the government—and across-the-board opponents of fracking—had previously thought. Methane is the main component of natural gas. When burned in an engine, it is a relatively clean source of energy. When released unburned, it is thought to be as powerful a greenhouse gas as any fossil fuel. Keeping it underground while drilling for it is supremely important. This study suggests that this is possible.

The study (PDF) was sponsored by oil companies and environmental groups, including the Environmental Defense Fund. One may naturally be suspicious of any study that includes participation by an economically interested group; energy companies provided access to some 500 wells during the study. But this one is peer-reviewed and appears credible.

It doesn't comment about the many other concerns about drilling and fracking, but it is good news on the GHG front.

[hunter]

1. Fracking is bullshit.

It's a McMansion made of cheap vinyl siding and Chinese wallboard that you sell to rubes with too much money and no brains.

[xfundy]

2. Cities in Europe use methane from sewage.

One city has been using it's garbage, which it's about to run out of because the system is too efficient.

[tech3149]

3. Jumpin Jesus on a Pogo Stick!

Consider the source and who paid for it.
Have you ever seen an infrared image of a well site? The leakage of methane is visible by its concentration.

What is that 1% figure? 1% of what? The volume of "natural gas" extracted?
Even that is a massive release of a devastating GHG.
How about a link to the study so we can tear apart some actual facts?

[rickford66]

4. sure

They always add "When done properly" or "When best industry practices are followed" etc. The truth is that "they" cut corners to maximize profits and the fines they pay are a pittance and are no deterrent to their actual practices. Do you actually believe the wells they offered for study were chosen at random? They were picked for a reason and were probably micromanaged and provided with the best crews and machinery.

[badtoworse]

5. I agree with you; it's good news, but fracking is a tough sell on this board.

Fracking is like any other technology - it gets better as experience is gained. There are many on this board that just don't want to see fossil fuels of any kind used and would be happy to outlaw fracking despite the potential for better well casings and well closing technologies to make the technology safer.

[MrMickeysMom]

6. Sorry, Joe... Look who co-sponsored this...

Many of the sample sizes did not represent the sample population relative to the amount of methane measured. Don't take my word for it.

By the way, the thing that has escaped the MSM in Colorado was the complete gas rupture of those wells. There are lots of pictures that somehow didn't make "the news"...

The news on hydraulic fracturing is still bad... very bad.