1. Digital Technologies & Current Uses in Environmental Geology - A Marcellus Shale Example Northeastern Section- 49th Annual Meeting The Geologic Society of America T22. Marcellus and Utica Shales: Geology, Natural Gas Production, and Water Resources Issues Paper #70-3 John Bolakas, M.Sc., PG, LSRP James Kerr, M.Sc., PG Ghazanfar (Gus) Sukkurwala, M.Sc., PE Michael Teeling, M.Sc., CPG

2. Abstract The Marcellus Shale play has been of significant importance in the development of oil and gas resources and providing regulatory framework for natural resource protection. Pennsylvania has led in updating oil and gas regulations to manage these unconventional resources. The use of digital technologies now underlies effective collection, storage, analysis and reporting of data and information integral to industry operational performance and regulatory compliance. Regulatory compliance and reporting requirements are creating large data sets which can present information management challenges. GIS-based digital collection tools and principles of centralization, standardization and automation are being used to meet these challenges. Developing a life cycle solution which includes mobile data collection, enterprise data management, accessible web portals, and reporting tools provide means for users to access, mine, query, analyze and report relevant data and information with justifiable confidence. Pennsylvanias pre-drill sampling and mechanical well integrity assessment requirements provide two examples of how industry is using digital technologies to improve data collection, management and accessibility; manage asset performance; and meet regulatory reporting requirements that protect Pennsylvanias natural resources. Consequently, practitioners of environmental geology have embraced these digital technologies and are incorporating them into database intensive activities both for the Marcellus Shale and across the country. 3. Data Challenges and Solutions Efficiency > Accuracy > Precision> Compliance! Current (new) practices generate volumes of data. Challenge Disparate data Variable data formats Managing QA/QC Ease of maintenance, querying, and reporting Interpretation and decision-making Solution Consolidation Standardization Automation Current requirements mandate the transition from traditional paper methods to electronic data management 4. Tools Software Spatial software (e.g. ArcGIS) EDGE EQuIS SharePoint/Portals Hardware Laptop Server/Cloud Smartphone Tablet 5. Work Flow / Integration 6. Devices, Databases and Dashboards EQuIS Oracle or SQL Server Database Schemas Data Collection Data Management Data Analysis and Decision Support 7. Field Data Acquisition MSC Electronic Survey Form For Pre-Drilling Surveys Compatibility Consistency and efficiency Modified for need Captures all required details 8. Data Acquisition Data Management Electronic Data Deliverables (EDDs) Lab Field QA/QC Reporting Analysis INSERT screenshot from EQuIS Gus? 9. Visualization Combine field/lab data Integrate with GIS Data access through web portals Real/Near-Real Time data access 10. Reporting /Compliance QA/QC Automated Report Generation Client Land Owner Regulator General Public (if requested by the client or assuming shared regulatory database) 11. Reporting /Compliance 12. Knowledge Management What is Knowledge Management? Historical projects Project based knowledge Industry knowledge Human resources and knowledge transfer Other Data Information Knowledge 13. Knowledge Management How can we use Information Services (IS) to manage knowledge Data querying, analysis, aggregation, presentation Data collection with a purpose Data collection, storage and dissemination methodologies Knowledge portals Data Information Knowledge 14. Field Data Acquisition What else can we do/capture? Aquifer Testing Borehole Logging COC management Connectivity with various sensors/probes (e.g., GPS, YSI, Solinst) Equipment Calibration Flow Gauging (LNAPL/DNAPL) Sample Planning Site Inspection Site Reconnaissance Soil Gas Water Quality Weather Well Construction Anything Where There is a Paper Form! 15. Supporting Applications Groundwater Protection and Investigations Methane Source Studies Water Treatment System Design and Installation Spill Response Well Integrity Management