Shale Gas as a New Source of Energy

Shale gas refers to the natural gas derived from shale formations. Shales refer to finely  grained sedimentary rocks having rich gas and petroleum reservoirs. As a non-renewable resource of energy, it has always ruled the world like others, such as natural gas and coal.

In today’s world, energy is the most used term in every sector, whether commercial, transportation, or industrial; hence, it is established that the world and different sectors would collapse without energy. 

As energy is such an essential part of life, people are always inclined to use more efficient ways of energy that would not harm the environment and can be sustainable in the long-term as well.

Shale gas production

As becoming an essential source of energy rapidly, shale gas production must be done correctly, keeping in mind the harm a planet faces while extraction and other mining activities. Shale gas is a natural gas that is trapped within shale formations. It was first used in 1821 in New York as an energy source. 

Over the last hundred years, the process of extracting shale gas has four basics processes which are :

1. Pad preparation 
2. Drilling 
3. Well cementation 
4. Hydraulic fracturing and well completion 

We will have a look in brief at each of the processes:

1. Pad preparation: It generally consists of a pad that has an area of 4-5 acres of land, which constitute drilling activities, the ground used is usually paved, surfaced, and levelled to a position. This practice is becoming a common practice as it is eco-friendly. 
2. Drilling: The most common extraction method of shale gas and shale oil is horizontal drilling. Shale oil is used as a drilling fluid, but this process is not time friendly.
3.  Well cementation: This process includes three kinds of casings:

• Surfacing casing
• Intermediate 
• Production casing 

4. Hydraulic fracturing and well completion: It has allowed several oil and gas producers to access areas that were not so easy to access. It has the common name fracking, in which natural gas is released by shale rock breaking a pressurised fluid known as fracturing fluid.

Challenges faced due to shale gas 

The extraction of shale gas is harming the environment as the extraction causes various harm in many different ways:

1. Greenhouse gases: Many greenhouse gases are released during the extraction, and pollutants cause several harmful effects on the environment. hence a challenge to the producers of shale gas is to reduce pollution if they want to carry out the continuation of shale gas production 
2. Climate: during production, methane gas is leaked sometimes, which again affects the environment, and the life cycle of various organisms and also an excellent presentation of carbon dioxide is also a concern and challenge for the producers of shale gas and shale oil.
3. Water and air quality depletion: as waste from production, hazardous materials, and chemicals are discharged into water bodies, which in turn release gases when combined with water, further pollute the environment in both water and air, which again causes a challenge to the producers of shale gas.
4. Earthquakes: the hydraulic process involved in the extraction of shale gas some times are the reason for the earthquake that occurs per year with a magnitude of 3 
5. Human health impacts: use of coal and hydraulic processes causes 3-4% of deaths. Also, the worker accident risk is increased in these processes. 
6. Economic: although people have been using shale gas for a year, nowadays, extraction processes cost a lot, which affects the economy of a country.

Opportunities due to shale gas 

1. Creating employment: more than half a million jobs are created due to the extraction of shale gas which acts as a boom for natural gas. 
2. Cheaper than others: as available naturally, it is accessed quickly at a lower price 
3. Eco-friendly: though it impacts the environment negatively, shale gas, like natural gas, wins as being naturally available. It is more eco-friendly to the environment as it is the cleanest fossil fuel. 

Conclusion 

Shales refer to finely-grained sedimentary rocks having rich gas and petroleum reservoirs. Shale gas is a natural gas that is trapped within shale formations. It was first used in 1821 in New York as an energy source. 

Over the last hundred years, the process of extracting shale gas has four basics processes which are :

1. Pad preparation 
2. Drilling 
3. Well Cementation 
4. Hydraulic fracturing and well completion 

The extraction of shale gas is harming the environment as the extraction causes various harm in many different ways like greenhouse gases, water and air pollution, and earthquakes. Still, it also generates opportunities like employment. It is eco-friendly and is cheaper than others.