SUMMARY

Computer access for students is necessary.

Selected for the CLEAN Collection. Developed by On the Cutting Edge Professional Development Project.

This homework problem introduces students to Marcellus shale natural gas and how an unconventional reservoir rock can become an attractive hydrocarbon target. It is designed to expand students' understanding of hydrocarbon resources by introducing an unconventional natural gas play. Students explore the technological factors that make conventional source rocks attractive reservoir rocks and how this advance impacts both U.S. energy supply and the environment. Designed as a homework assignment, but could also be done in a lab.

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GOALS

Content/concepts goals for this activity

• The potential of unconventional natural gas reservoirs in meeting our energy needs
• The economic and technological factors that increase natural gas reserves
• Environmental impacts associated with unconventional exploration and development

Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity

Students should be able to synthesize technological advances and their impact on hydrocarbon extraction and environmental protection. They also need to perform basic data analysis.

Other skills goals for this activity Accessing and utilizing reliable internet resources

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION AND TEACHING MATERIALS

To complete this homework problem students should be familiar with conventional aspects of crude oil and natural gas exploration, including hydrocarbon traps, reservoir characteristics (porosity and permeability), recovery and environmental impacts. The homework is designed to expand their understanding of hydrocarbon resources by introducing an unconventional natural gas play. Students explore the technological factors that make conventional source rocks attractive reservoir rocks and how this advance impacts both U.S. energy supply and the environment. The strategy of the assignment is to lead students through a learning process in which concepts are introduced and followed by questions that require application of the concepts. For example, the concept of an unconventional reservoir rock is introduced and then followed by a question about why shale would be considered such a reservoir rock. Although some basic statistical analysis is required, the thrust of the homework problem is to grasp how technology is changing national energy supply.

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Activity Description/Assignment: Energy Homework Problem Set (Microsoft Word 47kB May4 09

TEACHING NOTES / CONTEXT FOR USE

Audience This homework problem has been used in an introductory geology course for non-majors. Skills and concepts that students must have mastered Command of porosity, permeability, reservoir rock, cap rock, conventional drilling methods, environmental impacts How the activity is situated in the course This is one of several outside homework assignments.

ASSESSMENT

Determining whether students have met the goals Homework goals are assessed by evaluating student responses of 10 integrated questions.

More information about assessment tools and techniques.

REFERENCES AND RESOURCES

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection: Marcellus Shale
Earthworks: Shale Gas (pdf)

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Credits:This resource was developed by Sid Halsor, Wiles University as part of the On the Cutting Edge Professional Development Project. 

SHORT DESCRIPTION

This homework problem introduces students to Marcellus shale natural gas and how an unconventional reservoir rock can become an attractive hydrocarbon target. It is designed to expand students' understanding of hydrocarbon resources by introducing an unconventional natural gas play. Students explore the technological factors that make conventional source rocks attractive reservoir rocks and how this advance impacts both U.S. energy supply and the environment.

Designed as a homework assignment, but could also be done in a lab. Computer access for students is necessary.