Nathan Ramos Intro to Geo Engelke 11/13/12

Eagle Ford Shale Throughout the 1900s Eagle Ford Shale was not viewed as a productive source of rock because of its low permeability. It wasnt until many years later, 2002, that Lewis energy first started targeting Eagle Ford Shale for drilling. Then, October 2008 Petrohawk Energy announced its discovery and starting to drill in three main areas of the shale called Black Hawk, Red Hawk, and Hawkville fields that were spread across several counties. In 2011 BHP Billiton acquired Petrohawk for $12 billion and took over a core position in the Eagle Ford Shale. EFS is one of the most active shale plays in the world with over 250 rigs drilling. Eagle Ford Shale is located in South Texas and spread through many counties from north Gonzales down to Webb County at the Texas-Mexican border. It is directly beneath the Austin Chalk and considered to be source rock. Source rock is the original source of hydrocarbons that are contained in the formation above it. It produces many resources such as dry and wet gas, NGLs, condensate and oil. These are produced at the depths ranging from 4,000 to 14,000 feet. The thickness of the shale averages 250 feet throughout the play but in some areas is 400 feet thick. Many advanced technologies are used to obtain these resources from the ground. New drills allow to not only drill down but drill horizontal. After being drilled vertically, new technology lets the drilling move horizontally through the shale. Also, a new technique called hydraulic fracturing has been used. It is the propagation of fractures in the rock that creates a pressurized fluid and helps extract petroleum, gasses, and other substances. Some formations have natural fractures that allow ways for gas and petroleum to lead into reservoir rocks. The Eagle Ford Shale is believed to be one of the largest oil discoveries in the last forty years. Last year it had more than a $25 billion dollar impact on South Texas. It is creating more

Nathan Ramos Intro to Geo Engelke 11/13/12

jobs for workers and expanding the small towns that are near and on the shale. A study done by UTSA projected the number of jobs boost from 13,000 to 70,000 by the year 2020. Throughout the play many small towns such as Cuero, Laredo, and Pleasanton are seeing more job opportunities from oil field services companies like Petrohawk. Small towns are seeing an increase in housing such as hotels, apartments and RV parks. Retail and restaurant businesses are also booming as more workers move down to the shale. Bigger stores like Super Wal-Mart and H-E-B plus are being built to accommodate the population increase. There are more developed streets rather than dirt roads paved roads are being added for use of moving equipment. Even San Antonio is expected to have some positive growth due to the shale. Offices to supervise the drilling will be built and many jobs created. Many possible side effects of toxic emissions were listed as they warned for the people who lived close to drilling and production sites. Some of the effects were headaches, dizziness, skin rash, and vomiting. Emissions from Eagle Ford Shale has also affected the air quality in different towns and cities and because so at least 24 counties have had monitors placed on them. If emissions from the shale development add more significant values it is likely San Antonio will not pass EPA standards. Contaminated water from fracking has been an issue to the Eagle Ford task force. However, research has proved that fracking only accounts for a small portion of water consumption. Also, water management facilities have potential to recycle the after flow of the fracking water and return about 15-20% of the water used form hydraulic fracturing. The roads are one of the many things affected by the shale as they are not designed for the heavy trucks. Highways, bridges, and other roads are being beat up by the heavy loads carried by trucks.