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A Preliminary Energy Return on Investment Analysis of Natural Gas from the Marcellus Shale

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  • Michael L. Aucott
  • Jacqueline M. Melillo

Abstract

An analysis of the energy return on investment (EROI) of natural gas obtained from horizontal, hydraulically fractured wells in the Marcellus Shale was conducted using net external energy ratio methodology and available data and estimates of energy inputs and outputs. Used as sources of input data were estimates of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides emitted from the gas extraction processes, as well as fuel‐use reports from industry and other sources. Estimates of quantities of materials used and the associated embodied energy as well as other energy‐using steps were also developed from available data. Total input energy was compared with the energy expected to be made available to end users of the natural gas produced from a typical Marcellus well. The analysis indicates that the EROI of a typical well is likely between 64:1 and 112:1, with a mean of approximately 85:1. This range assumes an estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) of 3.0 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per well. EROI values are directly proportionate to EUR values. If the EUR is greater or lesser than 3 Bcf, the EROI would be proportionately higher or lower. EROI is also sensitive to the energy used or embedded in gathering and transmission pipelines and associated infrastructure and energy used for their construction, energy consumed in well drilling and well completion, and energy used for wastewater treatment.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael L. Aucott & Jacqueline M. Melillo, 2013. "A Preliminary Energy Return on Investment Analysis of Natural Gas from the Marcellus Shale," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 17(5), pages 668-679, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:17:y:2013:i:5:p:668-679
    DOI: 10.1111/jiec.12040
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    Cited by:

    1. Jingxuan Feng & Lianyong Feng & Jianliang Wang, 2018. "Analysis of Point-of-Use Energy Return on Investment and Net Energy Yields from China’s Conventional Fossil Fuels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-21, February.
    2. Jacques Despres & Kimon Keramidas & Andreas Schmitz & Alban Kitous & Burkhard Schade & Ana Raquel Diaz-Vazquez & Silvana Mima & Hans Peter Russ & Tobias Wiesenthal, 2018. "POLES-JRC model documentation - Updated for 2018," JRC Research Reports JRC113757, Joint Research Centre.
    3. Devin Moeller & David Murphy, 2016. "Net Energy Analysis of Gas Production from the Marcellus Shale," Biophysical Economics and Resource Quality, Springer, vol. 1(1), pages 1-13, May.
    4. Roman Nogovitsyn & Anton Sokolov, 2014. "Preliminary Calculation of the EROI for the Production of Gas in Russia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(10), pages 1-15, September.
    5. Louis Delannoy & Pierre-Yves Longaretti & David. J. Murphy & Emmanuel Prados, 2021. "Assessing Global Long-Term EROI of Gas: A Net-Energy Perspective on the Energy Transition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-16, August.
    6. Wang, Jianliang & Liu, Mingming & McLellan, Benjamin C. & Tang, Xu & Feng, Lianyong, 2017. "Environmental impacts of shale gas development in China: A hybrid life cycle analysis," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 38-45.
    7. Wang, Qiang & Chen, Xi & Jha, Awadhesh N. & Rogers, Howard, 2014. "Natural gas from shale formation – The evolution, evidences and challenges of shale gas revolution in United States," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 1-28.
    8. Calderón, Andrés J. & Guerra, Omar J. & Papageorgiou, Lazaros G. & Reklaitis, Gintaras V., 2018. "Disclosing water-energy-economics nexus in shale gas development," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C), pages 710-731.
    9. Devin Moeller & David Murphy, 2019. "Comments on Energy Return on Investment (EROI): Reconciling Boundary and Methodological Issues," Biophysical Economics and Resource Quality, Springer, vol. 4(2), pages 1-3, June.
    10. Brandt, Adam R. & Yeskoo, Tim & Vafi, Kourosh, 2015. "Net energy analysis of Bakken crude oil production using a well-level engineering-based model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(P2), pages 2191-2198.
    11. Hongshuo Yan & Lianyong Feng & Jianliang Wang & Yuanying Chi & Yue Ma, 2021. "A Comprehensive Net Energy Analysis and Outlook of Energy System in China," Biophysical Economics and Resource Quality, Springer, vol. 6(4), pages 1-14, December.

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