Did you know that methane leakage is eroding the GHG benefits of
natural gas? "Shifting to natural gas from coal-fired generators has
immediate climatic benefits as long as the cumulative leakage rate
from natural-gas production is below 3.2%...   the latest estimates
from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggest that 2.4% of
total natural-gas production was lost to leakage in 2009." [Tollegson
Nature 2013] For transportation, could natural gas have a higher GHG
footprint than oil? Come learn more!


Research Lecture: Shale Gas Development: Leaks and Emissions
April 18, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. in A230

Economic shale gas development requires the drilling of tens of
thousands of wells in a play, each involving relatively high volumes
of injection, completion, and production fluids. Accidental leaks and
purposeful emissions of these fluids occur. On the local scale, we
will examine mechanisms for so-called "leaky wells" that can possibly
contaminate drinking water supplies, the historical record of rate of
well failures, and current industry performance in the Pennsylvania
Marcellus play. On the global scale, we will also explore the
cumulative impact of emissions of methane from unconventional shale
gas development on greenhouse gas loading of the atmosphere.

http://www.civil.northwestern.edu/events/Hydraulic-Fracturing-Industrialization-of-the-Shale-Gas-Operation.html#Research%20Lecture