Improving Impact Analysis of the Eagle Ford Shale Oil and Natural Gas Production on Regional Rural Communities

摘要

The Eagle Ford Shale, a formation that is 80 kilometers wide by 640 kilometers long, and located in South Texas, was traditionally considered to be economically unfeasible as a potential natural gas and oil producing formation. Since the onset of hydraulic fracturing of the non-porous rock, the Shale has rapidly become one of the highest producing areas of natural gas and oil, with a positive economic impact on the communities located over it. Previous studies have shown both direct and indirect impacts of the Shale development on the regional communities. The intent of this study is to re-evaluate the overall impacts of the Eagle Ford Shale development in consideration of a set of extended components, in addition to the production, drilling, and related activities that have traditionally been considered. This paper presents the preliminary findings for Cotulla, Texas. The findings will provide more evidence supporting the importance of considering all extended factors to better illustrate the impact of shale development on rural communities.