Rushing to Tap the Marcellus Shale

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Posted: 4:33 PM Aug 19, 2010 Rushing to Tap the Marcellus Shale NEW MARTINSVILLE, W.Va. & SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) Jobs with natural gas drilling companies appear to be in great demand. Reporter: MICHAEL RUBINKAM - Associated Press Writer	This map from the USGS shows the extent of the Marcellus Shale formation that oil and natural gas companies are exploring for drilling.

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Jobs with natural gas drilling companies appear to be in great demand.

Hundreds of people lined up Wednesday in Marshall County to talk with nine recruiters from Oklahoma-based Chesapeake Energy.

Chesapeake is among the companies rushing to tap the reserves of the Marcellus shale gas field.

Development coordinator Ryan Dean says no jobs were filled immediately, but the eastern region offers work for people with a variety of experience. Jobs range from pumpers, field technicians and rig hands to truck drivers, air equipment operators, mechanics and diesel engine technicians.

Welders Shawn Long and Eric Westbrook of Middlebourne say the gas industry is one of few offering opportunities these days.

Chesapeake currently employs 630 West Virginians.

Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, Sen. Bob Casey says the state's emerging natural gas industry has the potential to create jobs and wealth, but also carries environmental risks that must be addressed.

The Pennsylvania Democrat said Thursday at a forum in Scranton that the "gas rush" taking place in the vast Marcellus Shale region of Pennsylvania "can create a great economic boost" in a state where nearly 600,000 people are unemployed. But he added: "We must not fail to protect our people, our land, our water and our future."

Casey is sponsoring legislation that calls for federal regulation of the drilling process known as hydraulic fracturing or "fracking." Drillers inject millions of gallons of chemical-laden water deep underground to break up the shale and let natural gas escape.

Opponents contend fracking threatens the quality and quantity of groundwater. The industry says it is safe.

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