Infographic: Michigan Mineral Rights

Michigan looks to be the next big play in exploring and producing natural gas from deep shale formations. A single prodigious gas well in Missaukee County, drilled nearly two miles deep in the Collingwood Shale, prompted a record auction in May of state-owned mineral rights to 120,000 acres in 20 counties that netted $178 million.

As leases turn into tangible exploration and production, hydraulic fracturing comes into play. “Fracking” requires millions of gallons of water mixed with thousands of pounds of chemicals to be injected into the well at intense pressure. The practice is raising pollution and water supply concerns across the country. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is investing nearly $2 million assess the risks. Roughly 5.5 million gallons of fresh water were pumped from the aquifer and used to fracture the Missaukee County well.

Under the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act Part 327, gas and oil companies are exempt from disclosing water withdrawals. Michigan is holding another auction of state-owned mineral on October 26, 2010.

Graphic © Kalin Wood

Michigan’s new play is focused on the Collingwood Shale—a 40-foot-thick formation that will produce the deepest and most expensive natural gas wells drilled in Michigan, and maybe some of the riskiest. Producing natural gas in the deep shale requires a controversial drilling practice known as hydraulic fracturing, which could produce water contamination and supply problems.

Graphic by Kalin Wood, a Circle of Blue graphic designer. With contribution from Aubrey Ann Parker, a Circle of Blue reporter and data analyst. Reach them at circleofblue.org/contact.