NETL Studies Vertical Fracturing in Marcellus Wells

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) has been conducting research on the ability of fracking fluids to flow upward from the Marcellus formation (typically over a mile below the surface) into shallow drinking water aquifers (typically located within several hundred feet of the surface). According to a recent report in the State Journal, NETL’s initial work has shown that fractures from the fracking process only extended about 1,500 feet vertically above the Marcellus formation—supporting the notion that the fracturing process does not greatly increase the likelihood that Marcellus Shale development will contaminate shallow drinking water sources.

This article was authored by Robert G. McLusky, Jackson Kelly PLLC. For more information on the author see here.