Extraction of Natural Gas
If natural gas is extracted from a natural gas field the initial pressure (up to 60MPa (600 bar)) in the field will drop over the years. The gas pressure also supports the soil layers above the field. If the pressure drops, the soil pressure increases and this leads to subsidence at the ground level. Major subsidence of the Mississippi River Delta due to oil and gas extraction has caused the ocean to rise and flood over 34 square miles (88 km2) of marshes and land each year. Since 1930, Louisiana has lost 1,200,000 acres (4,900 km2).
Since exploration of the Slochteren (Netherlands) gas field started in the late 1960s the ground level over a 250 km² area has dropped by a current maximum of 30 cm.
Read more about this topic: Subsidence
Famous quotes containing the words extraction, natural and/or gas:
“Logic is the last scientific ingredient of Philosophy; its extraction leaves behind only a confusion of non-scientific, pseudo problems.”
—Rudolf Carnap (18911970)
“The natural order will emerge only if we let go of the fear of the disorder, we trust each other.”
—Judith Malina (b. 1926)
“one pale woman all alone,
The daylight kissing her wan hair,
Loitered beneath the gas lamps flare,
With lips of flame and heart of stone.”
—Oscar Wilde (18541900)