Yes, natural gas from shale formations – such as the Marcellus, Utica, and Upper Devonian – is essentially the same as natural gas that we have been producing from shallow formations for years. Now operators drill up to 8,000 feet underground, reaching the shale formation, before they begin the hydraulic fracturing process to stimulate trapped natural gas.
With the discovery of vast shale deposits, we now have a clean burning energy source, lower greenhouse gas emissions, energy independence, and countless jobs. President Obama understands the importance of these newfound, job-creating resources which are being produced safely. Click here to read about what he and his administration are saying about safe, tightly-regulated American shale gas development. And visit Penn State’s shale site for more information.
