- How are drillsites selected?
- Drillsites are selected based on a number of factors: availability of land suitable to drill on; city permits; proximity to buildings, parks and other infrastructure; geologic considerations; proximity to natural gas pipelines or the feasibility of installing new pipelines; as well as the companies’ lease position in the area. Ultimately, energy companies strive to select sites that are least-intrusive to daily life.
- How is it going to impact me?
- From a physical standpoint, minor short-term disruptions may occur onsite, just like any typical urban construction project, but the majority of residents will experience few, if any, changes to daily life. The drilling is designed to have minimum impact on the environment and new pipelines pose no more danger than the common public natural gas lines that already service most neighborhoods. Economically, you will notice a big difference as natural gas production brings millions of dollars in revenue, new jobs and income streams to local property owners, municipalities and other taxing jurisdictions.
- Where will the drillsite be located?
- The goal of responsible energy companies is to find drillsites that allow safety and security at every location, to minimize disruption of the neighborhood, and to find access routes that are as unobtrusive as possible, while still able to produce the most minerals for their royalty owners, including school districts and municipalities.
- How long will the drilling take?
- From the time the pad preparation begins on a single drillsite, the entire process of setting up the rig, drilling, fracture stimulating (“fracing”) and installing operational equipment is usually six to seven weeks. Even with multiple-well padsites, the entire process frequently takes less time than building a house or store in the same area.
Watch a time-lapse video of the first well developed at the DFW Airport.
- What times will the drilling activity take place?
- During the approximately three weeks of drilling, operations run continuously 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The fracing may take three or four additional days and is restricted to daylight hours.
- What impact will the drilling have on my neighborhood?
- Today’s technology — and city code — ensures that drilling operations are sensitive to urban neighbors by restricting noise and light, controlling road access and providing security measures. As with any construction site, there will be additional truck traffic for setting up and taking down the equipment. After the wells are completed, the energy company returns to monitor and maintain the site. At some wellsites where piping isn’t an option, trucks may return to remove water from the tanks onsite.
- What about the pipeline?
- Pipelines are necessary to get the natural gas from the wellhead to market. While the diameter of the pipeline may vary depending on its function, they are all similar to normal utility pipelines that currently deliver gas to your home or office, and thus pose no elevated safety issues. New pipelines may be installed through traditional open trenching, boring underneath the ground, or a combination of the two.
- What happens after the drilling?
- Once drilling is complete and the operating equipment in place, urban wellsites are attractively fenced and landscaped. Because of that, they are frequently more appealing than other utilitarian structures like water pump houses or electrical stations. In many cases, the energy company makes other improvements to the area surrounding the drillsite, leaving it in better condition than when it was found.
- I’ve heard about “hydraulic fracturing.” Why should I feel comfortable about this technique being used in the Barnett Shale?
- Hydraulic fracturing or “fracing” is a technique in which fresh water is mixed with sand and non-toxic lubricants and injected at high pressure into the rock, fracturing it in order to release natural gas. Fracing techniques have evolved over time and vary widely in application, depending on the location and depth of the well and the type of sandstone, shale or other rock formation being fractured. In the Barnett Shale, the average depth at which fracing occurs is 6,875 feet, putting more than one mile of non-permeable rock between the freshwater table and the formation being fractured.
- How can I be sure that the water table is protected during the drilling process?
- The production of natural gas is highly regulated by the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC). When a well is drilled, steel casing and surrounding layers of concrete are installed to isolate the well from drinking water aquifers through which the well penetrates. The depths at which this “surface casing” must extend are mandated by the RRC. In Barnett Shale operations, the surface casings are typically set to a depth of 1,200 – 1,300 feet, more than 400 feet below the Trinity Aquifer. After it is determined that the well can produce natural gas, additional strings of casing and tubing are set through the aquifers to provide even greater separation between the gas stream and the fresh water tables. The RRC also requires documentation of drinking water aquifer intervals, the design and installation of surface casing relative to those intervals, and the reporting of characteristics of the wellbore along with completion and production data. Other states have similar programs in place to protect drinking water resources.
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Paving the Way for Natural Gas
Pipelines and compressor stations are an integral part of natural gas drilling and production. Without pipelines, natural gas cannot be transported and sold at market to provide royalty payments, clean energy and the economic benefits to our community. And without compressor stations, natural gas cannot be moved through a pipeline network. Each element works safely in conjunction with others to complete the natural gas process.
Unfortunately, in the Barnett Shale there is a current shortage of pipelines and compressor stations. Due to the recent surge in natural gas drilling, a sufficient system for gathering and transporting the increased supply of natural gas being extracted from the Barnett Shale does not currently exist. Much like a highway in an area of town experiencing unprecedented growth, the current “roads” or pipelines available cannot accommodate the large volume of gas that needs to flow through them – so additional pipelines are needed.
Compressor stations first remove water from the natural gas, then bring the gas to the right pressure for safe and efficient transport through the pipeline network, converting the large amounts of gas derived from the Barnett Shale into a usable content. These stations can be quiet and non-invasive, similar to other public utility stations around town, which most people don’t even notice.
- What is being done to make compressor stations urban friendly?
- In urban environments, Chesapeake is implementing special sound abatement measures which dramatically decrease sound from compressor stations. Housed in new acoustical control buildings, these urban compressor stations are visually appealing and blend in with surrounding structures and buildings.
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The Pipeline Process: Start to Finish
Pipelines transport the valuable natural gas people need to heat their homes, power their appliances and cook their food. Yet, before the gas can be used in homes and businesses, there are three main steps that must happen to expedite its delivery. First, pipelines must be installed in the ground via trenching or boring. Trenching involves digging approximately six feet into the ground and laying the pipe. Boring involves drilling a horizontal hole (from three to 60 feet underground) and feeding the pipe into it. Next, gathering of the natural gas through a series of pipelines begins.
Gas is initially transported away from the well in a low-pressure pipe and then pushed to higher-pressure pipelines by a compressor station. Finally, the gas is transported to market for purchase, distribution and use. This process is the safest way to transport natural gas for ultimate use by consumers.
Once the pipelines have been properly installed and the process is complete, the land is reclaimed and restored or landscaped back to its original state. In fact, many of the parks and greenspaces you see every day already have pipelines running underneath them.
- Why can’t we use existing pipelines?
- In areas where appropriate pipelines already exist, natural gas companies make every effort to utilize them. Energy companies can share pipelines to transport natural gas if it maximizes value for royalty owners. However, there is currently an insufficient gathering system in place to accommodate the large volumes of gas being extracted from the Barnett Shale.
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A Mineral Owner’s Best Friend
Pipelines are the only feasible way to move natural gas. Without proper pipelines, natural gas cannot be transported. Royalties cannot be paid if gas is not transported and sold at market. This is extremely important since natural gas drilling has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue and taxable income for North Texas.
And, like most facets associated with natural gas drilling, pipeline construction benefits the North Texas economy. Pipeline operations are directly employing thousands in Tarrant, Johnson and Dallas counties, and the new infrastructure serves to fuel local businesses in many ways. But these benefits reach far beyond fueling the economy. Pipelines facilitate a vital public need by helping to transport natural gas to end users: heating homes, fueling electric generation plants, powering automobiles and increasing U.S. energy security.
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Right-of-Way Agents: Working For You
Pipeline installation begins with a Right-of-Way Agent, who works with surface property owners and city planners to negotiate the planning, permitting, construction and completion.
First, the agent collaborates with energy companies to find the best place for the pipeline to be constructed. Then, the agent contacts the property owner to obtain an easement to lay the pipe in the least intrusive areas possible.
Once the proper easements and permits have been obtained, pipeline systems are constructed. The process is then completed as the pipeline installed from the well joins other gathering pipelines moving toward the compressor station.
- If a pipeline is installed on or near my property, does that mean that I can never use that land again?
- No. Surface amenities, including sidewalks, driveways, parking lots and shallow-root landscaping can still be constructed above pipelines. Though deep-root landscaping and permanent structures are not permitted on pipeline easements (to maintain the integrity of the pipeline and allow for safety inspection access), pipelines take up a relatively small amount of space. Companies work to honor property owners’ wishes by laying the pipes in the least intrusive areas. We also work to reduce the impact on landscaping when installing pipeline networks.
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To ensure maximum safety, natural gas pipelines are highly regulated at both federal and state levels. Pipelines are governed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC). In fact, gathering lines are more highly regulated in Texas than any other state in the union. It is also worth noting that Chesapeake Energy goes beyond basic pipeline regulations to deliver the most reliable pipelines in the industry — we design our pipelines to even higher standards than required by the federal government.
Additionally, precautions and public awareness initiatives are taken to identify areas with pipelines to ensure that third-party digging never compromises the integrity of the pipe. Before any construction begins anywhere in the Barnett Shale, state law requires that anyone planning to dig deeper than 16 inches with machine-powered equipment must call DIG TESS (Texas Excavation Safety System) at 1.800.344.8377 at least two days in advance to ensure that current pipeline locations will not be disturbed. To learn more about DIG TESS, please visit www.digtess.org.
- I’ve heard concerns about pipelines running underneath neighborhoods. Are they safe?
- Most people do not realize that thousands of pipeline networks already exist and have been safely transporting public utilities underneath communities for years. Pipelines are essential to warm your water, heat your home and cook your food. Natural gas pipelines are simply delivering another product that is integral to your daily life.
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Safety Note
Regulatory agencies throughout the industry and the Barnett Shale are working together to guarantee that natural gas pipelines and communities continue to live in harmony. In the grand scheme of things, natural gas pipelines pose no more danger to citizens than any other public utility.
- I want to know more about pipelines and compressor stations. What can I do?
- Please refer to these additional resources for information on pipelines and compressor stations.
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Completed Drillsites
After drilling is complete and the operating equipment is in place, Chesapeake's urban well sites are attractively fenced and landscaped. Because of that, they are frequently more appealing than other utilitarian structures like water pump houses or electrical stations. In many cases, the energy company makes other improvements to the area surrounding the site, which leaves the location in better condition than when it was found.
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- What is flaring?
- A. Flaring is a way to test the economic viability of natural gas wells. It’s completely safe, since gas in this area is lighter than air.
- How is flaring done?
- The gas comes out of the pipe, straight up, and is burned off to avoid any dissipation.
- Why is flaring done?
- It is usually done to test a well’s performance or quality when a pipeline is not available to flow the gas into. Many times a well will be flare-tested prior to making the decision to run an expensive pipeline to the well. (If the test results are not positive, then the well will be plugged.)
- Is flaring safe?
- When you see other companies flaring, please know that they have been required to obtain a permit from the Texas Railroad Commission, the regulatory agency for the natural gas industry in Texas, and that the process is well monitored. Responsible companies also alert city officials and neighborhood leaders before flaring is done to alleviate any concern. Flaring can last from 48 hours to a few days.
- Does Chesapeake flare?
- Chesapeake is one of the rare operators that does not generally flare in the Barnett Shale, and almost never in an urban setting. With our extensive pipeline network, we are generally able to hook the well to a gas line and test it. In most cases we are comfortable that the wells that we drill will be economically viable before we drill them and therefore will not require testing.
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- What is coal-bed methane?
- Coal-bed methane (CBM) is a naturally occurring gas found in coal formations that exist at depths of a few hundred feet to a few thousand feet beneath the surface, and is not generally found in the Barnett Shale.
- How is CBM different from the natural gas found in the Barnett Shale?
- CBM formations are often associated with drinking water resources because they generally occur at depths shallower than traditional gas reservoirs and are sometimes found in close proximity to freshwater aquifers. In contrast, the Barnett Shale formation is found more than a mile below the surface. This means that more than a mile of impermeable rock separates the drinking water aquifers from the zones at which natural gas production is occurring, providing a natural barrier of protection for the water table.
- I’ve heard a lot about NORM. What does it stand for and are there any dangers associated with it?
- NORM is the acronym for naturally occurring radioactive material. NORM refers to low level radioactive material from natural sources, and can be found in the soil of the earth’s crust, in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink and even in our own bodies. NORM in natural gas poses virtually no threat to the health of the general public.
There are many different types of radioactive materials found in nature. In fact, more than 30 different types of naturally occurring radioactive materials can be found in our back yards and are in our bodies. These materials are transferred to man via the water and food-chain cycle.
Everyone is exposed to some level of radiation, such as the sun. In addition, many manmade items we use every day include radiation, such as a wristwatch, cigarettes, building masonry and even books. We are even exposed to radiation when we visit the dentist, either through x-rays received, wearing dentures or having dental work containing porcelain.
- What is a sinkhole and how do they occur?
- Sinkholes or cave-like structures can occur in other areas of the state and country where a certain type of rock or salt dome exists, which can dissolve over time by contact with water. Once the formation begins eroding, a sinkhole or cave may be created. Some natural geological wonders you may be familiar with include the Natural Bridge Caverns in south Texas or Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. The Texas Speleological Survey, a non-profit corporation established in 1961 to collect, organize, and maintain information on Texas caves, says there are no known sinkholes or caves located in Tarrant County.
- Does drilling for natural gas create a cave or void?
- No. People sometimes assume that when natural gas is extracted from below the surface, an empty space is created and this "space" will eventually cave-in. This way of thinking is inaccurate and does not apply to natural gas production in the Barnett Shale for several reasons. First, the shale or tight rock remains in place after the fracture stimulating process, therefore, there is no weakness created when gas is extracted. The 1.5 miles of impermeable rock that exists between the surface and the Barnett Shale makes it virtually impossible for a sinkhole to form in this region. Secondly, the rock or tight shale we are working in does not dissolve, regardless of any water that comes into contact with it. The shale is merely "cracked," which allows to gas to be released while the rock remains in place miles below the surface.
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