West Virginia University began the nation’s first integrated research initiative on shale gas drilling last week after months of study and preparation in an effort to monitor well activity.
The well is the cornerstone of the MSEEL, Marcellus Shale Energy and Environmental Laboratory, which was launched by the university last year in partnership with Ohio State University, Northeast Natural Energy, the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Energy Technology Laboratory.
The five-year, $11 million project is the first comprehensive field study of shale gas resources in which scientists will study the shale drilling process from beginning to end, a press release from WVU states.
On Friday, Charleston-based Northeast Natural Energy drilled a tip hole for the well at the Morgantown Industrial Park using an air-rotary rig, which drills more than 6,000 feet into the earth. The well is cased following West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection standards for Marcellus Shale Development.
Teams of scientist from WVU and other institutes will use the well and surface location to monitor the impact shale gas drilling and production activities have over an extended time. The well will also be used to evaluate new technologies for increased efficiency and resource development.
“The project represents the power of collaboration and the potential for research with great impact,” said Brian Anderson, director of WVU’s Energy Institute. “The work that starts this weekend is the next big step in this groundbreaking project. It is exciting to see the progress that has been made to this point, and it is a real testament to the hard work that all the project partners have done thus far.”
For more details click here: http://marcellus.com/news/id/125334/wvu-begins-monitoring-shale-gas-well-activity/
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