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Dec. 9, 2010
The University of Maryland Extension of Garrett County will present a lecture titled “Geology of the Marcellus Shale in Western Maryland” tonight, Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. The event will be held at the Garrett College Auditorium. The lecture will be given by geologist Jeff Halka, director of the Maryland Geological Survey.
Over the last 70 years, the 400-million-year-old Oriskany sandstone has been the primary target of Appalachian gas exploration. Tens of thousands of conventional wells have been drilled in this rock formation. However, geologists have generally understood that the gas contained within this porous sandstone unit was likely generated in the overlying organic-rich Marcellus shale.
Recent developments in well drilling and stimulation technologies have made it possible to exploit these organic-rich layers directly and allow the capture of gas contained within the less permeable shale.
Halka’s lecture will explain the formation of the Marcellus shale and the subsequent development of natural gas within the shale.
