West Virginia University Extension Service is helping members of the community obtain factual information on issues related to the oil and natural gas industry by sponsoring an education and information session regarding Marcellus shale at Sherrard Middle School in Marshall County Feb. 9.

The presentation is at 6:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public

The Marcellus shale reserve stretches from New York through Pennsylvania, western Maryland, West Virginia and eastern Ohio and contains an enormous supply of natural gas.

Presenters include WVU professors and researchers, legal professionals, and representatives from the WV Department of Environmental Protection.

“The oil and natural gas industry is one of the most talked-about topics in our state right now, so we wanted to bring many of the groups together to provide information,” said Jennifer Williams, director of WVU Extension’s agriculture and natural resources programs. “Our WVU Extension county offices receive numerous calls every day from landowners and citizens requesting factual information, so we are addressing those questions by putting together this educational program.”

Some of the topics and the order they will be presented include an overview of the natural gas industry, natural gas exploration and the drilling process, water issues related to natural gas exploration, roles and responsibilities of the WV Department of Environmental Protection and understanding and negotiating a gas lease. Each presentation will last about 20 to 40 minutes.

Speakers include Dr. Tim Carr, WVU’s Marshall Miller professor of geology, and Dr. Paul Ziemkiewicz of WVU’s West Virginia Water Research Institute. The speakers will be available to answer questions from the audience at the end of the program.

For more information and directions, please contact WVU Extension Agent John Miller at 304-234-3673 or visit the WVU Extension Service Natural Gas website at http://anr.ext.wvu.edu/oil_gas.

To learn about other programs or find out more about Extension activities, go to www.ext.wvu.edu.

– WVU–

pl/2/4/10

Check http://wvutoday.wvu.edu daily for the latest news from the University. Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.

CONTACT:
Ann Bailey Berry
voice: 304.293.5691
cell: 304.376.7740
e-mail: ann.berry@mail.wvu.edu