Overview

What is unconventional natural gas, and what impact will it have on the energy landscape? There has been significant interest in recent discoveries of large amounts of natural gas in the United States. Join members of the MIT Energy Club for a discussion focused on the characteristics of this resource and its impact on energy decision-making. 

This discussion is being coordinated with a lecture on Natural Gas 101 on Tuesday, 27 Apr (http://events.mit.edu/event.html?id=11609251). You can prepare for the discussion by attending the lecture or by checking out some suggesting reading on this page. 

Pizza will be served.

Key Questions

How much unconventional natural gas is there in the USA?  

What are some of the challenges to bringing this gas to market, for example cost and environmental impacts?

How might we use this gas?  

Preparatory Readings

Estimate Puts Natural Gas Reserves 35% Higher (NY Times, 17 Jun 09)

Gas Drilling Debate Rages in Delaware River Basin (NY Times, 18 Apr 10)

Natural Gas Tilts and Windmills in Power Feud (WSJ, 2 Mar 10)

Natural Gas Information from the US Department of Energy

Energy Discussions: Unconventional Natural Gas

06:00-07:00PM Thursday, April 29, 2010
Leader: Paul Murphy and Frank O'Sullivan
Location: 26-204