Texas shale history provides key context on downbeat CA report

The new federal report sharply reducing the amount of oil believed to be “technically recoverable” in California’s Monterey Shale triggered glee among the greens who hate fossil fuels. But as the Bakersfield Californian reported, oil companies hardly saw the report as a game-changer in their pursuit of the black gold beneath the Central Valley and some coastal counties. Why? Because of this context:
“Thirty years ago, energy companies began drilling for natural gas in the Barnett Shale, a huge underground formation in Central Texas. Their high hopes were not shared by the U.S. Geological Survey, which estimated only 1 trillion to 3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas were ‘technically recoverable’ in Barnett. For more than a decade, this skepticism seemed dead-on.
“But then increasing refinements to an old drilling technique known as hydraulic fracturing demolished assumptions about what was ‘technically recoverable.’ By 2003, nearly 1,800 wells had successfully tapped the Barnett Shale, triggering an economic boom that continues to enrich Texas to this day.
“So far, the Barnett Shale has yielded 13 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. An estimated 31 trillion more cubic feet is now seen as ‘technically recoverable.’”
Fracking keeps improving — and proving estimates wrong
That’s from my U-T San Diego editorial. Here’s some more:
“[Energy firms] remember what was said about the Barnett Shale — and they know that because of technological gains, hydraulic fracturing just keeps getting more and more effective. In hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, giant underground water cannons are used to pulverize rock formations that block access to oil and natural gas reserves. With every passing year, energy companies are able to more precisely map underground drilling areas — and aim their water cannons — using the equivalent of immense MRIs.”
I know California’s underground geology is so fractured because of seismic activity that experts say it will be much more difficult to access oil and natural gas reserves than in North Dakota or Texas. But it seems a decent bet that the biggest obstacle to fracking in California remains not our geology but the intense opposition by enviros — which is greatly aided by the bizarre refusal of the California media to acknowledge that the greenest president in history considers it safe.
If the CA fracking debate built off the understanding that the Obama administration has repeatedly attested to its safety, the tone of the debate would be much different. Green true believers wouldn’t change their minds. But lots of moderates — and lots of poor people tired of living in the state with the nation’s highest poverty rate — might take a fresh look at fracking.
22 comments
Write a commentWrite a Comment
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Related Articles
DMV won’t unleash robocars on CA roads
California’s Department of Motor Vehicles has put the brakes on driverless cars. Although the agency’s new proposed regulations would technically
California Remedy For Eco-Guilt
MAR. 5, 2012 While the Legislature has cavalierly passed global warming laws and companion legislation, they’ve done so without a
Report: Global warming data bogus
Can we repeal AB 32 now? Both Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who signed AB 32 (shown in the nearby picture), and
“Fracking”= The new (green) energy!
Love energy 😉
LOL so I guess the doomers support massive fed gov oil subsidies!
Typical
TCS, like the pension “subsidies” the RAGWUS feeders get? You don’t even have a clue what a subsidy is TCS.
I happen to invest in EOM and that company pays billions in taxes through their employees and dividends. They take the write-offs for investment in new equipment which puts even more money into the economy. Only tax-feeding fools, most whom are Algorites, see industry as being subsidized. 🙂
LOL Duncey defends big oil subsidies! Well CWD– That says it all! Clowns who are tools for globalists! Exhibit one—the People rest!
teddy steals defends pension scams 😉 That says it all!
Defending the worker?
Well, yes…I am!
Fracking–
600 chemicals injected at high pressure below the water table—- What could possibly go wrong?
More lies from an Algorite worshiper.
TCS, government pensions are ruining Gaia’s heath, she is losing her ability to breath, we must stop all RAGWUS pensions now for they are allowing the RAGWUS feeders too much time to travel which is increasing greenhouse gases.
If the truth was known we would find that TCS is one of the main greenhouse gas producers in the world. 🙂
Duncey don’t need no gal dern science.
Fox News ™
TCS, RAGWUS feeder leader, GED yes, integrity no, willing to steal from his neighbor yes, willing to work an honest days work no, thankful for his government job not at all he was owed his lot for being born. Just what you would expect from a feral RAGWUS feeder. 🙂
Stop owning Teddy Donk, his ego will be shattered 🙂
Rex, it’s easy to own a RAGWUS feeder with a GED, they have no original thoughts, they worship people like Al Gore and their union whores! 🙂
LOL— you girls are getting very spun up for a Sunday am– relax little buddies!
Attention– PLEASE don’t feed “teddy the troll™”
LOL and the Poodle is STILL spun up!!!
you go girl!!
GED twins always carping about little ball.
The big picture for you two loons……no future, no now…no past!
Ahaul, the big picture is RAGWUS fools like you that hate any and all fossil fuels. As is always the case with feeders, “we have ours, to heck with the taxpayers.” 🙂
Duncey only know “little ball” !
GED response from TCS!! 🙂
Duncey— You are still working on your GED?
Good luck little buddy!!
Teddy….he failed first grade….he is in remedial kindergarten with a bunch of ship jumping Greeks from Crete and a couple of surly Chad types who walked to Adelanto from Canada.