EARTH 109
Fundamentals of Shale Energy Development: Geology, Hydraulic Fracturing, and Environmental, Geopolitical and Socio-economic Impacts

Summary and Final Tasks

Summary and Final Tasks

Summary

We need water for just about everything we do on a daily basis, including for producing the energy we need to generate the electricity we use. We, in turn, need the power to pump and treat the water we use for drinking and other potable uses. This is the crux of the water-energy nexus! As a society, it is important to understand this crucial junction of water and energy, though honestly it is often taken for granted and we don't think too much about where our drinking water or electricity comes from, much less the associated environmental impact. However, upon closer inspection, it's actually a fascinating connection between water, energy, and the environment and one we hope you have a better appreciation for after this lesson. The water use for shale energy development is actually fairly efficient given the amount of energy produced for every unit of water used. In turn, the produced fluids from oil and gas development can present a significant challenge to manage in both a cost-effective and environmentally sound manner, however where challenges exist so do opportunities! In the Marcellus shale, producers are finding this balance by recycling the produced fluids for hydraulic fracturing, which lessens the need for fresh water, treatment, and disposal, which in turn reduces costs. Legacy issues from conventional or orphan and abandoned wells, including fugitive emissions and risks to water resources, need to be addressed, and often the associated funding to properly manage these issues is not available. These legacy issues are a reminder that we need to find ways to develop and produce energy that has lower environmental footprints, whether it is shale, renewable or other forms of energy, otherwise, the long-term costs may not be worth the short-term gain.

Reminder - Complete all of the Lesson 9 tasks!

You have reached the end of Lesson 9! Double-check the to-do list on the Lesson 9 Overview page to make sure you have completed all of the activities listed there before you begin Lesson 10.