A shale play is an area that consists of rocks formed by silt and clay. This area contains hydrocarbons like petroleum, coal and natural gas that are generated after being heated and pressurized over a million years. In short shale play is the place where you can find Shale gas. And to extract this shale gas one requires horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing methods.
Importance:
The shale or natural gas found in this area has great importance in the life of common people. As people can meet their day to day requirements by using this gas. Not only this success of any economy also depends on this natural gas. Because all the large gas and oil industries greatly rely on them.
To know more deeply how much shale play is important for the US you can go through the following statistic:
- In 2009, approximately 87% of the gas that was used by the US was produced domestically. This later reduced the imports of natural gas that was a good step for the betterment of the country
- In 2017, the US used 27 trillion cubic feet of natural gas to accomplish their tasks and meet the increasing demands of the public
- In 2008 US earned a lot of profit by exporting 3.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas to various other countries
Now let us see the 10 biggest shale plays in the US.
Permian
This spot is located in Western Texas. Premium basin is one of the largest shale plays in the US that passes through Midland and Odessa. This place produces 5 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 1.3 million barrels of oil per day. The Permian Basin offers plenty of oil field jobs to the public. So, it means that this shale play has reduced the unemployment rate in the US to a great level.
Eagle Ford
Eagle Ford is located in the southern part of the state of Texas and almost covers an area of 400 miles. This spot also comes in the list of the largest shale plays in the US like Premium. and produces hefty 6 cubic feet of natural gas and 1.2 million barrels of oil daily.
Marcellus
Marcellus shale is located in the eastern part of North America and produces the smallest quantity of oil is 50,000 barrels daily and 13 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.
Niobrara
Niobrara is the smallest shale play among all the spots. And it produces 4.6 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 287000 barrels of oil per day.
Barnett
Barnett located in the state of Texas covers 5000 square miles of area in total and produces 4.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 15000 barrels of oil per day
Haynesville
It is located across Louisiana, Arkansas and Kansas. It produces 6.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 57000 barrels of oil per day
Bakken
Located in Montana and North Dakota produces almost 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 1 million barrels of oil daily.
Anadarko-Woodford
Located in the west-central part of Oklahoma and produces 47000 cubic feet of natural gas and 1300 barrels of oil per day.
Granite Wash
Located in Texas and Oklahoma, currently produces 27 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 3200 barrels of oil per day.
Utica
It produces 9.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 1400 barrels of oil daily.
Wrap up:
By reading this article you must be well aware of the importance of Shale play and its locations in the US.
