Natgas drillers’ water use cut due to Pennsylvania drought

Natgas drillers’ water use cut due to Pennsylvania drought by Jeanine Prezioso, July 17, 2012, Reuters
NEW YORK, July 16 (Reuters) – Drought conditions in Pennsylvania have led to the highest number of suspensions of water withdrawals since permitting began in June 2008 in areas where natural gas producers need water to extract the fuel, a water regulator said. … This is the highest number of water withdrawal suspensions since June 2008 when the commission began permitting natural gas producers to draw river water for operations. Many gas producers either keep water in reservoirs, recycle water or plan operations around the dry season because the process of hydraulic fracturing is so water intensive.