Back to OurEnergyLibrary search




Unconventional Oil and Gas Development: Key Environmental and Public Health Requirements

Unconventional Oil and Gas Development: Key Environmental and Public Health Requirements

Full Title:  Unconventional Oil and Gas Development: Key Environmental and Public Health Requirements
Author(s): US Government Accountability Office
Publisher(s):  US Government Accountability Office
Publication Date: September 1, 2012
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

Technological improvements have allowed the extraction of oil and natural gas from onshore unconventional reservoirs such as shale, tight sandstone, and coalbed methane formations. Specifically, advances in horizontal drilling techniques combined with hydraulic fracturing (pumping water, sand, and chemicals into wells to fracture underground rock formations and allow oil or gas to flow) have increased domestic development of oil and natural gas from these unconventional reservoirs. The increase in such development has raised concerns about potential environmental and public health effects and whether existing federal and state environmental and public health requirements are adequate.

All statements and/or propositions in discussion prompts are meant exclusively to stimulate discussion and do not represent the views of OurEnergyPolicy.org, its Partners, Topic Directors or Experts, nor of any individual or organization. Comments by and opinions of Expert participants are their own.

Sign up for our Press Release Distribution List

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Please sign me up to receive press releases from OurEnergyPolicy.org.