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This webinar was co-sponsored by ASCE's Geo-Institute (G-I) and ASCE Continuing Education
Instructor: Robert M. Koerner, Ph.D., P.E., BC.GE, Dist. M.ASCE
Course Length: 1.5 Hours
Purpose and Background
Shale gas has the potential of doubling the amount of natural gas used for energy in America and, as a result, of halving the amount of oil being used. Its impact promises to be “awesome” in the full context of the word. The key to the shale gas extraction technique is horizontal well drilling (at great depths) followed by hydraulic fracturing of the shale rock. This fracturing not only opens up fissures thereby releasing the gas, it also props open the fractures for ongoing gas recovery. That said, there are several environmental impacts, many (but not all) which can be solved, or mitigated, using geosynthetics.
Primary Discussion Topics
This webinar, which is based on several professional meeting presentations, focuses on the following segments.
- Overview and Implications of Shale Gas
- natural gas worldwide
- shale gas in the USA (including the recent Marcellus and Utica Formations)
- economic impacts and regulations
- drilling operations and hydrofracking
- environmental issues and concerns
- Drilling Pad Operations
- pond liners for fresh water storage
- pond liners for flow-back water
- lining systems for well drilling cuttings
- geotextile tubes for cuttings containment
- Infrastructure at Permanent Locations
- permanent roadways
- parking and staging areas
- walls and slopes
- drill pad liners
- plastic drainage and transmission pipes
- Infrastructure at Temporary Locations
- subgrade and turf reinforcement
- temporary roadways
- temporary storage dams
- silt fences
- erosion control materials
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Explore shale gas operations and its potential impact on energy in the USA
- Examine shale gas and its relationship to natural gas for the entire energy segment of society
- Determine horizontal drilling and hydrofracking
- Recognize the economic and environmental impacts of shale gas plays
- Identify how geosynthetics are mitigating (or minimizing) environmental impacts at the drill pad and related permanent and temporary infrastructure activities
Webinar Benefits
- Understanding of shale gas and its relationship to natural gas for the entire energy segment of society
- Understand horizontal drilling and hydrofracking
- Appreciate the economic and environmental impacts of shale gas plays
- Be exposed to various geosynthetic materials
- Understand how geosynthetics are mitigating (or minimizing) environmental impacts at the drill pad and related permanent and temporary infrastructure activities
- Appreciate the enormity of the opportunities for civil engineers and their organizations
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-assessment (true-false, multiple choice and fill in the blank questions).
Intended Audience
- Federal, state and regional environmental, geoenvironmental, geotechnical and transportation engineers
- Engineers from municipal districts and townships; private owners of shale gas operations
- General civil engineering consulting engineers
- Testing laboratories servicing these organizations
- Manufacturers and representatives of geosynthetic materials
- Contractors and installers servicing these applications
- Energy related academic and research groups
- Others desiring technically related information on this important aspect of our growing shale gas energy supply
Webinar Outline
- Overview and implications of Shale gas operations
- Geosynthetic opportunities at drill pad operations
- Geosynthetic opportunities at permanent locations
- Geosynthetic opportunities at temporary locations
- Summary and conclusions
How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion
To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 1 year of purchasing the course.
How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?
1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]