| Description |
1 online resource (ii, 65 p.) : col. ill., maps |
| Note |
Title from cover screen (viewed on Nov. 21, 2012). |
| System Details |
Mode of access: World Wide Web. |
|
System requirements: Adobe Reader. |
| Note |
"September 2012." |
| Summary |
New applications of horizontal drilling techniques and hydraulic fracturing, in which water, sand, and chemical additives are injected under high pressure to create and maintain fractures in underground formations, allow oil and natural gas from shale formations (known as 'shale oil' and 'shale gas') to be developed. As exploration and development of shale oil and gas have increased, including in areas of the country without a history of oil and natural gas development, questions have been raised about the estimates of the size of these resources, as well as the processes used to extract them. GAO was asked to determine what is known about the (1) size of shale oil and gas resources and the amount produced from 2007 through 2011 and (2) environmental and public health risks associated with the development of shale oil and gas. GAO reviewed estimates and data from federal and nongovernmental organizations on the size and production of shale oil and gas resources. GAO also interviewed federal and state regulatory officials, representatives from industry and environmental organizations, oil and gas operators, and researchers from academic institutions. GAO is not making any recommendations in this report. We provided a draft of this report to the Department of Energy, the Department of the Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency for review. The Department of the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency provided technical comments, which we incorporated as appropriate. The Department of Energy did not provide comments. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references. |
| Note |
"GAO-12-732." |
| Subject |
Oil-shale industry -- Environmental aspects -- United States.
|
|
Oil shale reserves -- United States.
|
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Hydraulic fracturing -- Environmental aspects.
|
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Natural gas reserves -- United States.
|
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Shale gas industry -- Environmental aspects -- United States.
|
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Shale gas industry -- Health aspects -- United States.
|
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Oil-shale industry -- Health aspects -- United States.
|
| Added Author |
Rusco, F. W. (Frank W.)
|
| Added Title |
Information on shale resources, development, and environmental and public health risks |
| Running Title |
Shale oil and gas development |
| Gpo Item No. |
0546-D (online) |
| Sudoc No. |
GA 1.13:GAO-12-732 |
|
