Stanford geophysicist to discuss shale gas in Crough lecture

Stanford geophysics professor Mark D. Zoback will present this year's S. Thomas Crough Memorial Lecture on Nov. 13.

Zoback's lecture, "Opportunities and Challenges of Shale Gas Development," will be held in Matthews Hall, Room 210, from 4 to 5 p.m. with refreshments beginning at 3:30 p.m. The lecture is free and open to the public.

The large quantities of natural gas from organic-rich shale are changing the energy picture in many parts of the world. Zoback will discuss the steps that can be taken to assure such resources are developed in an optimally efficient and environmentally responsible manner. He will describe how the responsible development of shale gas resources has the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near term, reduce air pollution and benefit public health.

He also will highlight current research projects that are investigating the factors affecting the successful production of natural gas from extremely low permeability shale formations and procedures for managing the environmental risks involved.

An expert on fault mechanics and reservoir geomechanics with an emphasis on unconventional shale gas and tight oil production, Zoback has served on the U.S. secretary of energy's committee on shale gas development and environmental production and the National Academy of Engineering committee, which investigated the Deepwater Horizon accident. He is also a fellow of the National Academy of Engineering.

Zoback's lecture is sponsored by the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences; the Department of Physics and Astronomy; and the S. Thomas Crough Memorial Fund. The event is also part of the departments' colloquium series.

Contact EAPS professor Robert Nowack with any questions at 49-45978 or nowack@purdue.edu. 

Writer: Kourtney Freiburger, 49-62993, kfreibu@purdue.edu