NATURAL GAS AND THE ENVIRONMENT MissWruble Mrs. Bonagura

Natural Gas Seven (7) parts Exploration Extraction Production 4.8.7.B Explain how people use natural resources Seven (7) parts Exploration Extraction Production Transport Storage Distribution Marketing

Exploration Geological Surveys Seismic Exploration Exploratory Wells 4.8.7.B Explain how people use natural resources Geological Surveys Seismic Exploration Exploratory Wells Computer Assisted Exploration

Extraction Horizontal Drilling Hydraulic Fracturing 4.8.7.B Explain how people use natural resources Horizontal Drilling Hydraulic Fracturing Click HERE to see a drill site created Picture above taken at Cabot Natural Gas drilling site

Production Wellhead Processing Plant (Refinery) 4.2.7.A. Know that raw materials come from natural resources Wellhead The spot on the Earth’s surface where the natural gas is collected. (see picture below – Cabot wellhead) Processing Plant (Refinery) Where natural gas is treated before going to market.

Transport Pipeline gathering system interstate pipeline system 4.2.7.C. Explain natural resource distribution. Pipeline gathering system From wellhead to processing plant interstate pipeline system From processing to areas with high demand distribution system Delivers to retail costumers

Storage Underground Facilities Liquid Natural Gas Aquifers 4.8.7.B Explain how people use natural resources Underground Facilities Aquifers Depleted Reservoirs Salt Caverns Liquid Natural Gas Can be stored in above ground containers

Distribution 4.8.7.B Explain how people use natural resources Small pipelines going from the utility company to the consumers home or business

Marketing Buying and Selling 4.8.7.B Explain how people use natural resources Buying and Selling

Effects on Wildlife Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth. 4.3.7.C .Explain biological diversity. Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth. This includes all organisms, their genes, and the ecosystems they are a part of.

Effects on Wildlife Why is biodiversity important? 4.3.7.C .Explain biological diversity. Why is biodiversity important? The quality of our lives depends on it. For example… The various plant species perform many very important tasks on Earth Taking in carbon dioxide Giving off oxygen Preventing soil from washing away Humans depend on plants for these reasons, and other species depend on them too as sources of food and shelter.

Effects on Wildlife 4.8.7.C .Explain how human activities may affect local, regional and national environments. Any change in an ecosystem affects many different parts of the ecosystem. In Pennsylvania drilling sites are: generally on farmland which has already been cleared of trees for farming purposes Also on hillsides where trees must be cleared away The pad site is usually between 4 and 6 acres. Once drilling is complete some of the land can be brought back to its original state At least one acre will remain disturbed (well site)

Effects on Wildlife Natural gas drilling changes the landscape. 4.8.7.C .Explain how human activities may affect local, regional and national environments. Natural gas drilling changes the landscape. What does this mean for the wildlife that lives in the area? Certain organisms will die The ecological community will be lost The landscape will not be completely restored to the original community Habitat fragmentation will occur

Effects on Wildlife 4.8.7.C .Explain how human activities may affect local, regional and national environments. Habitat fragmentation occurs when an organisms’ habitat is altered or changed, creating separate “islands” of habitat. Many things change habitat throughout the natural gas drilling process: Access roads to drilling sites Pipelines Well pads How does habitat fragmentation affect wildlife? Wildlife loses space and resources More predation Some wildlife may not be able to live with changing conditions

Effects on Wildlife 4.8.7.C .Explain how human activities may affect local, regional and national environments. Some wildlife will be tolerant of the disturbances, but others who have very specific needs and a specific habitat will die. Blue Jay – Tolerant of disturbance Scarlet Tanager- intolerant of disturbance If certain organisms can no longer exist in an area because of habitat disturbance the biodiversity of the area decreases.

Vocabulary Biodiversity- is the variety of life on Earth Ecosystem- A community of living organisms and their physical and chemical environment Fragmentation- the process of breaking into smaller pieces Horizontal drilling- drilling a well and turning the drill so that it runs parallel to the Earth’s surface Hydraulic fracturing- a method of using water pressure to break rocks to release and collect natural gas Natural gas- fossil fuel comprised mostly of methane

Web Resources for students to visit Habitat Fragmentation- http://bcs.whfreeman.com/thelifewire/content/chp54 /5402004.html Biodiversity- http://www.biodiversity911.org/biodiversity_basics/bio diversity_main.html Cabot Well Site Slideshow- http://www.cabotog.com/susquehanna_outreach/ wellsite2.html

Sites http://www.naturalgas.org/ http://www.cabotog.com/comm_education.html http://www.cabotog.com/pdfs/HFQAclean3.pdf

Standards 4.2.7.A. Know that raw materials come from natural resources 4.2.7.C. Explain natural resource distribution. 4.3.7.C .Explain biological diversity. 4.8.7.B Explain how people use natural resources. 4.8.7.C .Explain how human activities may affect local, regional and national environments.