WV geothermal temperature zones at 7.5 km depth (4.7 miles)

From an Article by David Beard, Dominion Post, April 9 & 10, 2022

WV-Department of Environmental Protection permitting issues discussed

The Dominion Post sent WV-DEP some questions relating to issues raised during the permitting process, including during a public hearing held in January. People were concerned about the vague reference to a data center in Marion Energy Partners’ application, and wondered why DEP’s DAQ didn’t demand more specifics.

DEP said, “The application Marion Energy Partners submitted only indicated they were planning to construct and operate a data processing facility consisting of four natural gas-fired engines to generate electric power for the facility. It did not indicate they were going to mine bitcoin.

Regardless, the application was for the emission sources – the four engines – which is the only aspect of this facility that the WVDEP’s DAQ can regulate. MEP is required to construct the facility in accordance with their permit application and meet the emission limits in the permit when they operate.”

DEP continued, “As mentioned, the DAQ’s jurisdiction begins and ends with the emission sources and it cannot regulate or permit a facility based on how it will use the electricity it generates. Please note that the DAQ has permitted several similar emission sources for facilities across the state, ranging from hospitals to government buildings.”

MEP/NNE will have to monitor its emissions from the site and provide the data to DAQ. The Dominion Post asked how DAQ will verify the data and hold MEP/NNE accountable.
DEP said, “MEP will have to perform stack testing within 180 days of startup and every three years or 8,760 hours of operation, whichever occurs first, and report the results to the DAQ. Stack testing is conducted by a third party contractor. MEP is required to obtain prior approval of a stack test protocol, and provide an opportunity for the agency to observe any required stack test.

“MEP is also required to maintain records of operation, and pollution control device parameters, and periodic fuel analysis. The company has to certify the accuracy of reported information. The DAQ will conduct periodic inspections. The facility is a minor source and is required to be inspected at least once every three years.

“The DAQ does not have staff on site when the facility starts up, however, the facility is required to notify the agency within 15 days of the startup of each engine. DAQ staff is notified of, and has the opportunity to observe, the initial stack test which is required to be conducted within 180 days of startup to confirm the facility is operating within permitted limits.

Regarding possible noise pollution, DEP said, “The DAQ has no jurisdiction over noise. Noise is an issue of local jurisdiction.”

The geothermal project promises to drill a deep exploratory (vertical) well

WVU announced its geothermal research project last August (watch for our Progress special section for a full story on the project). While most geothermal reservoirs are located in the western part of the country, WVU said, there is a “hot spot” below north-central West Virginia.

WVU was awarded a $7.5 million Department of Energy grant to drill an exploratory well at NNE’s industrial park site, where MSEEL is already underway. WVU Energy Institute Assistant Director Samuel Taylor told The Dominion Post this is an exploratory well to see what’s down there and what the potential is for future development.

The well will be a vertical bore – with no horizontal offshoot – going down about three miles. No energy will be produced from the well, he said.

MSEEL Domain in Morgantown Industrial Park

ABSTRACT ~ Marcellus Shale Energy & Environment Laboratory (MSEEL) Final Report

The objective of the Marcellus Shale Energy and Environment Laboratory (MSEEL) was to provide a long-term field site to develop and validate new knowledge and technology to improve recovery efficiency and minimize environmental implications of unconventional resource development.

MSEEL initiated in October 2014 and completed in September 2021. Total project value was $29,765,067, support from the US Department of energy totaled $16,608,355 with a cost share of $13,156,712 primarily from Northeast Natural Energy.

This report in a departure from previous reports summarizes the overarching results and outlines the approach taken. We cover two recent efforts in machine learning and reservoir characterization and simulation.

Numerous quarterly reports, public presentations and numerous external publications cover specific results by subtopic and in detail. Publications are listed in the Appendix.

The MSEEL project directly supported at least 110 personnel consisting of 23 tenure track faculty member, 27 research associates (Post-doctoral candidates and other research staff such as research professors), 42 graduate students (Masters and Doctoral), and 18 undergraduates. In addition, data are used at several institutions to educate the next generation of subsurface geoscientists.

From 2015 through December 2021, at least 333 publications are directly attributable to the Marcellus Shale Energy and Environment Lab (MSEEL) or use data or results obtained from MSEEL. The scientific and technical results have significantly improved our understanding of the environmental impacts and subsurface understanding of unconventional shale gas reservoirs such as the Marcellus Shale, and have broad impacts beyond shale gas to include geothermal production and carbon storage.

This report summarizes the overarching results and outlines the approach taken. Numerous quarterly reports, public presentations, and external publications cover specific results by subtopic and in detail. While MSEEL is not currently active, the results and data remain available through the National Energy Technology Laboratory Energy Data eXchange (EDX) (https://edx.netl.doe.gov/), and at the MSEEL website (http://www.mseel.org/).

Available data totals approximately 108 terabytes. Results and data continue to be incorporated into ongoing projects including Science-informed Machine Learning to Accelerate Real-Time (SMART) (https://edx.netl.doe.gov/smart/). Research on machine learning for improved production efficiency with LANL through the SMART Initiative continues and we have provided data and consultation and have contributed papers on use of artificial intelligence for a better understanding of reservoir properties.

One vertical “science well” & four horizontal production wells — (click on the geographic image above to enlarge it)

From an Article by WVU News, November 6, 2014

As the Appalachian Region feels the impact of the burgeoning shale-energy industry, a consortium of researchers and industrial partners led by West Virginia University, with the assistance of The Ohio State University, will conduct the first-ever long-term, comprehensive field study of a natural resource that has changed the country’s – and the world’s – energy supply.

The five-year, $11 million agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy will allow the research team to create and manage the Marcellus Shale Energy and Environment Laboratory, a field site and dedicated research laboratory at the Morgantown Industrial Park.

Together with the DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory and Northeast Natural Energy – a Charleston-based private oil and natural gas company that owns and operates the site – the lab will engage a unique and diverse team of geoscientists, hydrologists, engineers, ecologists, social scientists and public health professionals. The team will identify and demonstrate technologies required for best practices in environmentally responsible shale development, from drilling to completion through production.

Additionally, the lab will offer real-world education and training for undergraduate and graduate students to address the complex technical, environmental and social issues surrounding unconventional energy development and production.

Ohio State will work with WVU to provide support of subsurface scientific investigations of the geology and microbiology from samples taken in the drill hole, along with guidance and support for the environmental work at the site.

“We have deep roots in West Virginia and it is our goal to help any way we can,” said Mike John, chief executive officer of Northeast Natural Energy. “Our participation in the this project is driven by our desire to help improve science, enhance technology and expand understanding of the natural gas industry.”

Shale gas is natural gas that is trapped inside formations of shale – sedimentary rock found deep underground. To release it, shale-gas producers drill a deep vertical well and then use a combination of technologies to target horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (or fracking) – which uses pressurized water, sand and chemicals to crack subsurface rock and create fissures that release natural gas.

Additionally, recent news reports state that fracking and other unconventional techniques have already doubled North American natural gas reserves to three quadrillion cubic feet, which is nearly equal to 500 billion barrels of oil, or almost double the crude inventory of Saudi Arabia – the world’s top oil producer.

The Marcellus Shale Energy and Environment Laboratory will allow the team to address critical gaps of knowledge of the characterization, basic subsurface science, and completion and stimulation strategies that enable more efficient resource recovery from fewer wells with reduced environmental impact.

The primary objectives of the project include providing a long-term research site with an existing well and documented production and environment baseline from two previously completed wells.

A dedicated scientific-observation well will be used to collect detailed subsurface data and to monitor and test technologies in additional wells to be drilled periodically over the project lifetime.

The site also offers a unique opportunity to enable an open, collaborative and integrated program of science and technology development and testing to minimize environmental impacts while maximizing economic benefits.

The following areas at WVU are participating in the study ~ • Civil and Environmental Engineering, • Geology and Geography, • Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, • Public Administration, • Public Health, • Regional Research Institute, • Geographic Information Systems Tech Center, • West Virginia Water Research Institute.

The project is operated under the purview of a 2013 memorandum of understanding between WVU and Ohio State. As part of the shale-energy partnership, the two institutions agreed to work collaboratively to develop a joint program of research in the Appalachian Region’s developing shale energy industry.

-WVU- (11/6/2014)

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UPDATE ~ The MSEEL project ended September 30, 2021 and has 90 days to submit a final report. A draft final report was submitted to DOE on December 21. Revisions have been requested by DOE and a final report is expected by the end of the year. It will be made available through OSTI. For more information on MSEEL go to MSEEL.org or edx.netl.doe.gov.

SOURCE ~ Robert Vagnetti, MSEEL-federal project manager (12/27/21)