Coalbed Methane

Drillers empty water from a fresh well into a holding pond on a ranch outside of Sheridan, Wyoming where a rush is on for the extraction of coal bed methane gas. The natural gas is released by coal seams below the ground when water is removed from the coal. Local ranchers and environmentalists are concerned that well water levels will drop as a result from all the water removal by drilling companies, or that hazardous pollutants will sterilize the ground where the water is dumped. Erosion, pollution of fisheries and increased flooding are other concerns.

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Filename: Methane_04.jpg
Copyright: © Kevin Moloney, 2000
Image Size: 4605x3049 / 8.2MB; methane gas resource drill well roughneck energy environment wildlife utility coal coalbed methane Powder River pollution
Contained in galleries: Wyoming

Drillers empty water from a fresh well into a holding pond on a ranch outside of Sheridan, Wyoming where a rush is on for the extraction of coal bed methane gas. The natural gas is released by coal seams below the ground when water is removed from the coal. Local ranchers and environmentalists are concerned that well water levels will drop as a result from all the water removal by drilling companies, or that hazardous pollutants will sterilize the ground where the water is dumped. Erosion, pollution of fisheries and increased flooding are other concerns.