The Shale Gas Boom: Energy Exploration in Carolina

- The Shale Gas Boom: Energy Exploration in Carolina

Monday, May 23, 2011
The Fayetteville Observer, Fayetteville, North Car
by Michael Futch, The Fayetteville Observer, N.C.

For now, state geologists are finished with their research in central North Carolina.

After studying 59,000 acres in the Deep River basin for 15 years, they have concluded that Lee, Chatham and Moore counties could produce enough natural gas from shale to make North Carolina self-sufficient for 40 years at current levels of consumption.

"That's what we think," said Kenneth Taylor, chief of the N.C. Geological Survey. "We could become a net exporter."

The geologists recently sent their findings to the U.S. Geological Survey in Denver, which is being asked to assess the full potential of the Sanford sub-basin, a shale formation near the center of the Deep River basin. The sub-basin has the potential to hold the state's richest natural gas deposits, though exploration will continue elsewhere in the state.

Taylor said an assessment and fact sheet is expected from the U.S. Geological Survey by July.

The assessment would then be made available to energy companies eager to explore and begin commercial gas production in the sub-basin.

The findings could one day lead to riches for landowners -- many of whom already have signed land-lease deals with the energy companies -- and huge revenues for the state.

"The benefits from revenues that the state of North Carolina would gain from a productive natural gas industry would be immeasurable,...