What is Natural Gas?
Natural Gas is a clear, odorless gas. It is composed of methane, a compound with one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. Millions of years ago, dead plant and animal remains deposited on the sea floor and built up thick layers. This material is called organic matter. As sand and silt deposited on top of this organic matter, it was trapped beneath the rock. As more and more sediment deposited on top of the organic matter, the resulting pressure and heat changed this matter into fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. The amount of pressure and heat often determined which fossil fuel was formed.
Click here for information from the US. Energy Information Administration on how natural gas is formed.
Natural Gas is a clear, odorless gas. It is composed of methane, a compound with one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. Millions of years ago, dead plant and animal remains deposited on the sea floor and built up thick layers. This material is called organic matter. As sand and silt deposited on top of this organic matter, it was trapped beneath the rock. As more and more sediment deposited on top of the organic matter, the resulting pressure and heat changed this matter into fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. The amount of pressure and heat often determined which fossil fuel was formed.
Click here for information from the US. Energy Information Administration on how natural gas is formed.
Useful links and resources
- Obama White House Explains Importance of Hydraulic Fracturing- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uVGY3sIBsA&feature=share&list=UUsFYGjOwuj1_0vh77tU6JWA&index=1
- U.S. energy secretary says fracking brings prosperity- http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/albany/2014/02/8540411/us-energy-secretary-says-fracking-brings-prosperity
- Download-Hydraulic Fracturing- Unlocking Virginia's Natural Gas Resources Brochure
- Energy Works- Economic Impacts of Natural Gsa in Virginia - http://www.api.org/~/media/Files/Policy/Jobs/EnergyWorks/EnergyWorks_Virginia-API.pdf
- Download-Virginia's Gas Royalties Facts Sheet
- Facts on Hydraulic Fracturing and Seismicity: http://energyindepth.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/EID_Seismicity1.pdf
Is Natural Gas exploration in Virginia regulated?
Yes. Every well and pipeline in Virginia must be permitted through the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy Division of Gas and Oil.
Some aspects of drilling are regulated by other state and federal agencies such as the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the VA Department of Environmental Quality, the VA Marine Resource Commission, the VA Department of Conservation and Recreation, the VA Department of Labor and Industry, just to name a few.
Yes. Every well and pipeline in Virginia must be permitted through the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy Division of Gas and Oil.
Some aspects of drilling are regulated by other state and federal agencies such as the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the VA Department of Environmental Quality, the VA Marine Resource Commission, the VA Department of Conservation and Recreation, the VA Department of Labor and Industry, just to name a few.
Some Fracking Good News
A recent article in the Economist points out that America's falling carbon dioxide emisisons are directly related to burning more natural gas!!
Read the entire article and learn about the benefits of natural gas!
Read the entire article and learn about the benefits of natural gas!
What is Hydraulic Fracturing?
View the attached document for information regarding hydraulic fracturing in Virginia
View the attached document for information regarding hydraulic fracturing in Virginia
hydraulic_fracturing_in_virginia.pdf | |
File Size: | 306 kb |
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Need More Information?
The Truth about Hydraulic Fracturing:
Is the Gas Industry regulated?
General Energy Information
- Click here to view EPA testimony before Congress stating that there are no documented cases of ground water contamination from hydraulic fracturing.
- Frac Focus - chemical registry website (online registry of materials used during hydraulic fracturing) The website is a joint project of the Ground Water Protection Council and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission.
- New York Times article: Groundtruthing Academy Award Nominee 'Gasland'
- Check out the documentary, Truthland! Learn facts, not scare tactics, about hydraulic fracturing!
Is the Gas Industry regulated?
- The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy regulates all aspects of the natural gas industry in Virginia
- STRONGER (State Review of Oil & Natural Gas Environmental Regulations) is a public, private and government collaberation that reviews individual states' regulatory programs. Click here to read Virginia's review.
- Click here to view a report from the Groundwater Protection Council, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the National Energy Technology Laboratory on State Oil and Natural Gas Regulations Designed to Protect Water Resources
- What is “fracing?”
- Has fracing been used in Virginia?
- What are DMME's Requirements to Protect Water Quality and the Environment?”
- Who has primary regulatory authority over natural gas and oil wells in Virginia?”
- How often are the gas wells inspected by DMME?”
- Does DMME consult any other governmental agencies (national, state, or local) during the permit application review process?
- Do drilling companies have to identify the chemicals they are using in the hydro-fracturing process?
- Is there a risk of radioactivity in the solids and water produced during the drilling and hydro-fracturing process?”
- How are waters produced back during drilling and fracing handled?
- What are the rights of natural gas and surface owners in Virginia?
General Energy Information
- Natural gas statistics, usage, supply, etc.
- US Energy Information Administration Virginia Quick Facts
- U.S. Carbon Emissions Fall 7% in 2009 - Thanks to Natural Gas May 7, 2010
- Energy In Depth - working to keep energy affordable here at home, creating new jobs and minimizing our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.
- Worldwatch Institute launches the Natural Gas and Sustainable Energy Initiative
- What's happening with America's Natural Gas Alliane
Additional information on hydraulic fracturing:
US Environmental Protection Agency Report on Hydraulic Fracturing
Carol Browner, former EPA Administrator under Bill Clinton and top energy and environmental policy advisor under President Obama, issued a 1995 letter of support for hydraulic fracturing. After a complaint in Alabama claimed fracture fluids contaminated a drinking water well, the EPA repeatedly tested the well water quality between May 1989 and March of 1993 and determined that the results "failed to show any chemiclas that would indicate the presence of fracturing fluids."
US Environmental Protection Agency Report on Hydraulic Fracturing
Carol Browner, former EPA Administrator under Bill Clinton and top energy and environmental policy advisor under President Obama, issued a 1995 letter of support for hydraulic fracturing. After a complaint in Alabama claimed fracture fluids contaminated a drinking water well, the EPA repeatedly tested the well water quality between May 1989 and March of 1993 and determined that the results "failed to show any chemiclas that would indicate the presence of fracturing fluids."
How is groundwater protected?
Virginia's water is protected by several levels of regulatory oversight. The Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy has numerous laws and regulations protecting our water. Also, water quality standards for every aspect of drilling have been set by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Water Control Board.
Water used during drilling must meet or exceed the groundwater quality within 500 feet of the gas well until the groundwater protection casing is set and cemented. This requires companies to test all groundwater sources surrounding the gas well and to also test the water they use during drilling.
Most fresh water zones are less than 300 feet deep. With this in mind, there are several casing strings that protect groundwater. The groundwater protection casing must be set at least 300 feet deep or 50 feet below the deepest groundwater. This casing string is cemented to surface, meaning the space between the well bore and the steel casing is cemented so any groundwater is isolated from the well bore. Next, the coal protection casing is set through all known coal seams and is also cemented to surface. The production casing is cemented across gas bearing zones, which further isolates natural gas from any fresh water bearing zones.
Water used during drilling must meet or exceed the groundwater quality within 500 feet of the gas well until the groundwater protection casing is set and cemented. This requires companies to test all groundwater sources surrounding the gas well and to also test the water they use during drilling.
Most fresh water zones are less than 300 feet deep. With this in mind, there are several casing strings that protect groundwater. The groundwater protection casing must be set at least 300 feet deep or 50 feet below the deepest groundwater. This casing string is cemented to surface, meaning the space between the well bore and the steel casing is cemented so any groundwater is isolated from the well bore. Next, the coal protection casing is set through all known coal seams and is also cemented to surface. The production casing is cemented across gas bearing zones, which further isolates natural gas from any fresh water bearing zones.
How is Natural Gas measured?
Natural gas is measured by volume and stated in cubic feet. The standard unit of measurement is an Mcf, which is 1,000 cubic feet. Below are some common abbrevations.
ccf = hundred cubic feet
Mcf = thousand cubic feet
Mmcf = million cubic feet
Bcf = billion cubic feet
Tcf = trillion cubic feet
To put these measurements into context: 1,000 cubic feet, or 1 Mcf, will meet the natural gas needs of an average home (heating, cooking, etc.) for 4 days.
To compare fuels, we often use the energy content in terms of "Britsh Thermal Units" (BTU's). A BTU is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Farhenheit. On average, 1 cubic foot of natural gas equals 1,000 BTU. This number varies depending on the chemical make-up of the natural gas.
ccf = hundred cubic feet
Mcf = thousand cubic feet
Mmcf = million cubic feet
Bcf = billion cubic feet
Tcf = trillion cubic feet
To put these measurements into context: 1,000 cubic feet, or 1 Mcf, will meet the natural gas needs of an average home (heating, cooking, etc.) for 4 days.
To compare fuels, we often use the energy content in terms of "Britsh Thermal Units" (BTU's). A BTU is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Farhenheit. On average, 1 cubic foot of natural gas equals 1,000 BTU. This number varies depending on the chemical make-up of the natural gas.
Additional FAQ's?
If you have additional topics you would like to see added to this section, please let us know: factmaster@vanatgasfacts.org
If you have additional topics you would like to see added to this section, please let us know: factmaster@vanatgasfacts.org