The Fundamentals of Shale Energy Development

Catalog description

Energy is a critical component of modern society, yet we face significant challenges associated with balancing energy demands, energy security, environmental sustainability, and stable economics with sound regulations and policy. Unconventional energy development from shale formations has been a game changer for the fossil fuel industry over the past decade and is projected to continue to grow over the next several decades. But there are still many uncertainties on how to optimally develop these largely untapped resources to maximize the social benefits while minimizing environmental impacts. This course covers key topics needed to provide students with an overview of the science, engineering, environmental impacts, geopolitics, economics and societal impacts of shale energy development. These topics include geology, resource assessment, drilling technology, hydraulic fracturing methods, environmental impacts, economics, workforce needs, infrastructure, utilization trends, regulation, energy policy, energy exports, international geopolitics, societal considerations, and the future of unconventional energy and its relationship with other energy forms. The class is geared toward a broad audience of students to provide a big picture view of the shale energy landscape. The course is structured in four parts. The course begins with the geology of shale (part 1), then examines engineering and environmental aspects of shale energy production (part 2), then explores relevant economic, geopolitical and societal issues (part 3) and ends with a capstone project (part 4). Shale energy development in a key U.S. shale basin is used in parts 1 -3 to provide examples and illustrate concepts, impacts and problems. In the capstone project, students will learn about the shale energy development in another basin of their choosing and present their findings to the class, thereby developing further the students' understanding of the core course content while gaining an overview of shale energy development beyond the U.S. shale basin presented in the course.