Shale Energy Research Areas
Penn State has leading scholars and researchers working on many critical areas of research related to unconventional shale energy development. Those faculty and professional staff are committed to extending science-based information to stakeholder groups including federal and state legislators, the natural gas industry, environmental organizations and the public. The Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research aims to coordinate and facilitate programs of research and outreach and to address the complete range of issues presented by shale energy development as described below. Contact MCOR to find an expert in the following areas:
Shale Energy Development Technologies
- Geologic evaluations
- Geophysical data acquisition and modeling
- Drilling and hydraulic fracturing methods
- Production innovations
Midstream Infrastructure
- Pipeline assessments
- Compressor stations
- Raw material transport and supply chain
Shale Energy Utilization Trends
- Power generation
- Manufacturing opportunities
- Natural gas as a transportation fuel
- Liquified natural gas exports
- Overall energy market trends
Fluids Management
- Water use, storage and transport
- Produced fluid recycling, treatment, and disposal trends
- Disposal well use
Environmental Considerations
- Air quality
- Water quality
- Land surface/forest fragmentation/habitat impacts
- Well pad restoration practices
- Waste management
- Well integrity
Business and Economics
- Economic development and impacts
- Entrepreneurship and innovations in technology
- Workforce development and training
- Royalty estimation
Social and Community Impacts
- Stakeholder engagement and public education
- Social license
- Federal, state and local government policy
- Land use planning
- Quality of life
- Legal implications
