Methane, Ethylene, and Ethane in Water by Headspace-Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection

The technology presents a number of environmental challenges as the wells are drilled vertically through aquifers on their way to the deep shale deposits thousands of feet under the surface, and then turned horizontally and drilled another several thousand feet through the shale deposit. Herein lies the challenge: in the process of drilling the wells and preparing them for production (including “fracking” to optimize production), opportunities arise for contamination of the clean drinking water aquifers with methane and other low molecular weight organics (e.g., propane and ethane). Correctly drilled and cemented well bores should not be an issue, but any errors in engineering could result in contamination.