Dr. Jeffrey Nordella on gas
1. Natural Gas
In the beginning… There was natural gas.
The process of natural gas formation has taken millions of years. It began with the degeneration of plant and animal components, which were exposed to extreme heat and pressure. Carbon is the basic building block of natural gas and is commonly referred to as “organic” because it is a single atom. Energy is withheld within the bonds of numerous molecules within natural gas. Heat is created when these molecules combust.
This non-renewable energy source is found deep within the earths surface. It can be located within close proximity to crude oil reservoirs known as “associated natural gas” and also found within isolated reservoirs which is known as “non-associated natural gas”.
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2. What is in natural gas?
Methane is the dominant molecule in natural gas. It is comprised of (1) carbon atom and (4) hydrogen atoms. It exists in its natural state as an odorless and colorless gas but under the proper environment can be changed to a liquid state.
Natural gas, contains other hydrocarbons such as ethane (2 carbon atoms), propane (3 carbons atoms), butane (4 carbon atoms), and pentane (5 carbons atoms). Each hydrocarbon can be combusted and used for energy and heat production. The energy held in these molecules are within the bonds of carbon to hydrogen and carbon to carbon.
Other non-hydrocarbons are present in natural gas as well. Some examples are carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen, and infrequently helium.
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3.
As previously stated, “associated natural gas” is extracted from the earth in areas that are in close proximity to crude oil reserves. I believe it is the crude oil that feeds the non-hydrocarbons found in “associated natural gas”. Hydrogen sulfide is the main culprit found in “associated natural gas” which labels it as “sour gas”.
Non-associated natural gas has fewer non-hydrocarbon molecules making it more pure.
Natural gas is then transported from the extraction site to a pre-determined geographical area via a pipeline system. Wherever the natural gas is extracted from in the earth, it must be processed. This processing minimizes the impurities(non-hydrocarbons), including water vapor, down to an “emission standard,” which is determined and regulated by the appropriate agencies. Without this processing the gas should not be injected into the transporting pipeline system.
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4.
So the “processed natural gas” arrives at its destination. As in the case of Aliso Canyon it is then injected into the depleted oil wells for storage. But remember it has been essentially purified to minimum levels of non-hydrocarbons or at least in theory.
Let's take a moment and look at the history of the Aliso Canyon field.
Research shows it was discovered in 1938 and the field started producing oil and peaked in the 1950s. As of 2016, Oil production continues from 32 active wells.
It was converted into a gas storage reservoir in 1973 by the Southern California Gas Company. This reservoir has a capacity to hold over 86 billion cubic feet of natural gas and is the second-largest natural gas storage site in the Western United States.
The gas storage reservoir is accessed through 115 gas injection wells, along with approximately 38 miles of pipeline internal to the field.
5.
Oil and natural gas production are markedly more productive through “Hydraulic Fracking.” “Hydraulic Fracking “ is a process where the combination of liquid (water), sand and/or a solid known as a proppant, is injected under high pressure in an attempt to fracture the rock. This enables the release of oil or natural gas resources so they may be extracted from the earth.
“Hydraulic Fracking” is controversial. One end of the dispute is the financial benefit, the other is the environmental impact. A few interesting points in regard to environmental impact is the potential contamination of groundwater. In addition, there is a potential seismic effect.
"Hydraulic Fracking Fluids" have evolved over the years. According to my research there are over 750 identified chemical additives that have been used in fracking. And to no surprise benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene were present. We refer to them as BTEX.
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6.
The Aliso Canyon reservoir wells are approximately 9000 feet deep. However, the volume of the wells are not fully contained to this capacity. Rather, they are rock basins which have been altered through the process of "hydraulic fracking, Hydraulic fracking of the wells date back to the 1950s and 1960’s.
The concept is one which requires further examination. The initial questions include, a.) what stops the natural gas from breaching the containers?; b.) are the containers housing natural gas injected under high pressure, up to approximately 2500 pounds per square inch?; c.) Are the inferior, superior, and lateral borders permeable, allowing leakage of gas?; d.) Are there fissures between the different wells creating an avenue of communication?; e.) are there fissures by which gas under these extreme pressures find their way back to the surface and then into the environment and your community? and f.) Is this a potential source of chronic exposure along with other mechanisms of leakage.
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7.
So now let's analyze.
The gas and oil industry discovers natural gas beneath the earths surface. The natural gas is extracted through the hydraulic fracking process. There are potentially 750 different chemicals to choose from. Then a purification process must occur to lower the impurities prior to placing the natural gas in a transportation pipeline.
Once received at the Aliso Canyon facility, it is injected, under pressure, into “wells” that are contaminated from past hydraulic fracking? Does this gas now become contaminated and potentially, then leak into the environment and into your homes?
By the way, if these “wells” did not leak by this mechanism or other mechanisms, and the community was not exposed to chemicals, then there would be no reason to disclose under the legislation of proposition 65.
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8.
What is proposition 65?
https://oehha.ca.gov/…/genera…/proposition-65-plain-language
“In 1986, California voters approved an initiative to address their growing concerns about exposure to toxic chemicals. That initiative became the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, better known by its original name of Proposition 65.”
Please note, “California voters.”
“Proposition 65 requires the State to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. This list, which must be updated at least once a year, has grown to include approximately 800 chemicals since it was first published in 1987.”
Please note, 800 chemicals in 1987, and yes benzene is on the list.
“Proposition 65 requires businesses to notify Californians about significant amounts of chemicals in the products they purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment. By providing this information, Proposition 65 enables Californians to make informed decisions about protecting themselves from exposure to these chemicals. Proposition 65 also prohibits California businesses from knowingly discharging significant amounts of listed chemicals into sources of drinking water.”
Please note, Informed decisions about protecting themselves from exposure to these chemicals.
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