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Petroleum Newsfeed Article Details Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:21:35 -0600 Editorial: The Truth Regarding Barnett Shale Air Quality Issues Recent reports of a study conducted for the Environmental Defense Fund by Research Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering, Dr. Al Armendariz of Southern Methodist University are interesting. The study could shed new light how environmental interest groups plan to approach the issues surrounding increases in domestic production of fossil fuels. Oil and gas producers in the Barnett Shale have always been actively involved in minimizing environmental impact. Operators have been subject to some of the most restrictive state and municipal rules and regulations. Barnett Shale operators have led the industry, implementing innovative procedures and technologies to minimize the impact on residents and communities where they are forced to drill and produce. Environmental impact has always been a major issue in the Barnett Shale because of it's proximity to developed communities. The report, commissioned by the Environmental Defense Fund, projects oil and gas production originated emissions and compares them to DFW area auto emissions, a comparison that may warrant further investigation. In light of recent announcements of cuts in 2009 budgets for new drilling in the Barnett Shale. It would seem that any study making a projection would need to factor in the changing economic environment. Yet another concern in the comparison of DFW vehicle emissions to oil and gas emissions in the Barnet Shale is the important geographic difference in the two sources of emissions. Much of the Barnett Shale production is disbursed largely north and south but mainly west of the relatively higher DFW pollution concentrations. The study reports higher concentrations of emissions in the summer. Prevailing summer winds would typically disburse any emissions to the north and west of the problematic Trinity River Valley where DFW vehicle emissions are largely concentrated by a combination of summer heat, humidity and heat inversions. Because core production in the Barnett Shale is largely north and west of the Metroplex, it benefits from generally dryer humidity and higher prevailing winds, an atmosphere typically better able to disburse emissions of all kinds. It might be interesting to get actual air quality records for the area. It would also be helpful to differentiate between emissions caused by drilling, production, transportation and refining activities. The combination of activities in the Barnett Shale is constantly changing. Submitted by Don Lokke - Petroleum Newsfeed - READ MORE - SOURCE: PetroleumNewsfeed.com Articles are provided for the public and private use of our readers. Re-publication in any form allowed with credits to PetroleumNewsfeed.com - Copyright 2007 Donald H Lokke, Jr. Submit your Petroleum news release CLICK HERE