Oil Shale Article
Click on the link above and read the article. Answer the following questions with thoughtful response in PARAGRAPH format:
1) Summarize the entire article including defining oil shale and where it is being mined in the US.
2) What pollution issues are presented in this article?
3) How does this article relate to what we are learning in class about energy?
4) What impact does "flaring" have on Carbon Dioxide emissions?
There has been a sharp rise in the burning of waste gas recently due to the rise in shale oil exploration in North Dakota. Oil shale is an organic-rich sedimentary rock from which oil can be extracted. Global gas flaring has risen to 140 billion cubic meters in the last year. Gas Flaring is a dangerous process that eliminates gas at mineral exploration sites. Environmental regulations are having trouble passing because the financial crisis has increased competitiveness. 140 billion cubic meters of gas would be worth over $100 billion in barrels of oil. The top flaring countries suffer from chronic power shortages and less exporting of gas even though they have large oil and gas reserves. This is because the process of flaring wastes excessive amounts of gas that could be stored and used.
ReplyDeleteThe flaring of gas also adds 360 million metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere annually. Despite this, energy companies are not penalized for flaring gas. The act of flaring also damages local communities, leading to acid rains and causing illness.
This article relates to class because it shows a real-life example of environmental and economical issues being aroused due to the extraction of oil and gas for energy. The article also shows of the environmental issues caused by the process of gas flaring, and the overpowering of environmentalists by large competing oil companies.
Flaring greatly increases Carbon Dioxide Emissions, adding 360 million metric tons into the atmosphere annually.
Erin Bresnahan
There has been an increase in the burning of waste gas due to shale oil exploration in North Dakota, making the US one of the top ten gas flaring countries. Oil shale is an organic-rich, fine-grained sedimentary rock from which oil can be extracted. In 2011 global gas flaring rose 4.5 percent, from 134 bcm to 140 bcm. Gas flaring is used to get rid of gas at mineral exploration sites. Flaring adds some 360 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Which in some places such as Nigeria has lead to the creation of acid rain, causing illnesses. Although flaring has such a negative affect, not only on the environment, but also humand health, it is necessary during initial exploration and production. And due to competitiveness in the present financial crisis it is unlikely that environmental regulations to stop flaring will be enacted anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteThis article reenforces the fact that we need to develop less environmentally harmful energy sources, such as those we have been learning about in class.
Emily White
Because of the rise of shale energy, global gas flaring is on the rise, up 4,5% from last year. In 2010 gas flaring had 134 billion cubic meters, and in 2011 the levels rose up to 140 bcm. This is mainly because of shale exploration in North Dakota. There is hope that when the data is released, more attention will be paid to this dilema. Flaring has fallen about 20 bcm since 2006, but the rise hints that in order to reduce flaring, more effort must be made.
ReplyDeleteMostly air pollution. The increase in flaring has, in some cases, caused acid rain, and manyy illnesses.
We learned that energy is very easily used and conserved, but if it is, then there will be less profit for whatever company.
Flaring contributes greatly to the amount of CO2 in our atmosphere: about 360 million metric tons annually.
Bryan Sykes
Oil shale is an sedimentary rock rich in organics where oil can be extracted. North Dakota is an area where oil is being mined. This has caused more acid rain which is harmful to human health. A couple other environmental polutions are that this is a waste of tons of gas and air polution. This relates to our ciriculum by proving that we must find cleaner and more efficient energy sources and supplies. Every year 360 million tons of CO2 is released into Earth's atmosphere. Majorly contributing to the polution issue.
ReplyDeleteBonnie Bellefontaine
Due to the increase in oil shale exploitation, global flaring levels have rose 4.5% from the previous year.In 2010 amounts went from 134 bcm to 140 bcm in 2011. Each year, due to flaring, an additional 360 million metric tons of CO2 is emitted into the atmosphere. The primary source of the additional CO2 emissions comes from oil shales in North Dakota.These shales are also harming local communities with the increasing acid rains and causing illnesses. Even though human health is at risk, the oil flaring is necessary during initial exploration and production. As of now, there is no end of flaring in site. But, it is necessary that we find a solution to this problem before matters get worse.
ReplyDeleteNelly Steinhoff
There has been a rise in the burning of waste gas from shale oil exploration going on in North Dakota, making the US one of the top ten gas flaring countries. Oil shale is a fine-grained, organic-rich sedimentary rock that oil can be extracted from. In 2011 gas flaring around the world went up to 4.5%,coming from 134 bcm to 140 bcm. Gas flaring is used to get rid of gas found in mineral exploration sites. Flaring adds about 360 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each and every year. Which in some places like, Nigeria, has begin to the create acid rain, causing people to become sick. Although flaring has such a negative affect, on human health and the environment, it is crucial during initial production and exploration. Because of competitive figures in the present financial crisis it is not very likely that environmental regulations to prevent flaring will be put into power anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteThis article reinforces the fact that we need to develop more environmentally friendly energy sources.
Maryssa DeVille
DeleteIn North Dakota there has been a sharp rise in the burning of waste gas recently due to the rise in shale oil exploration.Two years ago gas flaring had 134 billion cubic meters, and last year the levels have come up to 140 billion cubic meters. This is mostly because of shale exploration in North Dakota. Flaring has a negative affect on not only the environmental, but also the health of humans. Also because of how competitive the financial part of this is, there will probably not be many things to stop this in the near future. The pollution issues is mostly the air pollution's in the atmosphere. Also there is some acid rain. I can relate this to the class because we learn about this in the book, but now its in a real life scenario. Flaring increases Carbon Dioxide Emissions by a lot because it adds 360 million metric tons into the atmosphere every year.
ReplyDeleteAshley Scott
Recently, there has been a large rise in the burning of waste gas from shale exploration. Flaring is used to eliminate gas at mineral exploration sites. The rates of gas flaring have increased 4.5 percent. The United States is now among the top 10 gas flaring countries. Many people condemn the industry because of the environmental impacts. Flaring adds a huge amount of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and acid rain has become more and more common in places like Nigeria. This, like the combustion of petroleum, causes a great deal of air pollution and can lead to many health issues.
ReplyDeleteDylan Scalzo
There has been an increase in shale exploration in North Dakota, throwing the US into the top 10 gas flaring countries along with Nigeria, Russia, and Iraq. Flaring eliminates gas at mineral exploration sites. But the environmental impact of this flaring provides for ammo against the process. Oil shale is sedimentary rock in which oil can be extracted from. The flaring of gas causes some human health problems and can even lead to acid rain. Recently, we have been learning all about the environmental impacts of all the different types of energy production. With nuclear, its radiation; with with oil, its nonrenewability and carbon emissions; with this flaring of gas, human health is at risk along with CO2 emissions, which is bad. The flaring of gas causes at least another 360 million metric tons of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere annually.
ReplyDeleteBy Christopher Bauer
Oil shale is organic-rich, sedimentary rock that can be used for fuel, and is being mined in the US mostly in North Dakota. Flaring is used at such mining sites to get rid of waste gas, but causes environmental problems by adding to the greenhouse gas emissions. Annually flaring adds 360 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)into the atmosphere. The rate of flaring is rising,up to around 140 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2011, from 134 bcm the previous year, causing concern. This rise can cause acid rain, a phenomenon that is occurring in Nigeria, affecting both environments and human health. If the waste gas was captured instead of being flared, it could create massive amounts of energy. but because the recent economy encourages any measures to increase competitiveness instead of being environmentally sustainable, regulations are not likely to be put in place. We have discussed similar issues in class dealing with non sustainable and sustainable energy sources, and the extent that we are going to to continue our dependency on fossil fuels.
ReplyDeleteAmanda Schafer
After years of decline there has been a rise in the burning of waste gas. The increase is mainly from the rise of oil shale exploration in North Dakota. This has made the U.S. jump to the top 10 gas flaring countries. Oil shale is a rich organic sedimentary rock in which oil can be extracted. The pollution issues presented is that the World Market estimates the flaring of gas adds about 360 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in annual emissions. Some affects of the pollution is acid rain in Nigeria which has caused illnesses. This relates to what we are learning because it shows that we need to find more efficient and cleaner ways for energy. Flaring greatly adds to carbon dioxide emissons.
ReplyDeleteDrew Fetzer
The article in question is about the consequences of a shale energy boom, specifically the large amounts of gas burned afterwards leading to "global gas flaring". This is becoming a massive issue, as global gas flaring has risen 4.5% in 2011. This increase is due mostly to the rise in shale oil exploration in North Dakota. The US, Russia, Nigeria, and Iraq are among the world's top ten gas flaring countries. Since the rise in flaring in North Dakota has propelled the US into the top ten gas flaring countries, officials are hoping that those officials in North Dakota will take steps to minimize flaring. Gas use is also causing major economic and environmental waste, as proven by various research. It causes rising in gas prices and more expensive research to solve the issues. It also causes acid rain around areas near oil shales where oil is being exploited. The pollution presented in the article includes acid rains issues, adding 360 million metric tons of carbon monoxide in annual emissions, and massive problems for Nigeria's environment. Since oil shale issues are directly related to gas issues, this topic is very relevant to our class discussions about energy troubles! Flaring causes massive amounts of CO2 emissions!
ReplyDelete