GEOS 1024 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Energy Returned On Energy Invested, Coalbed Methane, Directional Drilling
Document Summary
Primary producers (plants) comprise most of the earths biomass. Taking c02 out of the atmosphere and moving it to the biosphere. Plants gain their energy from the sun during photosynthesis. Coal forms from peat via type 3 kerogen. Peat to lignite to coal with time pressure and heat. Woody plant material also produces natural gas primarily as coal bed methane. Watch video on who is t. boone pickens ted talk on natural gas. Negatives associated with increased natural gas production via fracking: Fracking concerns: water use, surface water contamination, and groundwater contamination, disposing of fracing fluids, drilling in sensitive areas, impacts to rural. Positives associated with increased natural gas production via fracking: Significant us supplies, abundant relative cheap fuel, significant projected growth, minimal processing of product needed before consumption, high net energy yield, less carbon dioxide emissions compared to coal and petroleum. Us carbon emissions hit lowest level since 1994.
