Comparing the natural gas volumes in the various shale formations will be the topic of a free, Web-based seminar hosted byPenn State Extension's Marcellus Education Team.

The one-hour webinar, featuring Will Brackett, managing editor of the Powell Shale Digest, will be offered at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27. Titled "How Marcellus and Utica Compare to Other Shale Basins," the presentation will gauge potential gas production in the Appalachian Basin and beyond.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently reported that natural gas production in the Marcellus and Utica regions has accounted for 85 percent of the increase in natural gas production since January 2012, Brackett noted. As other shale-gas basins are being developed, many wonder how the Marcellus and Utica formations compare.

"Over the past several years, thanks to productive wells and favorable economics, the Marcellus Shale has emerged as by far the largest producer of shale gas, standing head-and-shoulders above other U.S. shale gas plays," he said. "In just a few short years, the Marcellus' phenomenal growth has had a profound impact on the natural gas market in North America."

But now, Brackett added, the Appalachian Basin's shale-gas potential is being enhanced even further with the development of the emerging Utica Shale play, which a recent study suggested could eventually rival production from the Marcellus.

The Penn State shale gas webinars are free, but registration is necessary. Online registration and more information are available on the Penn State Extension Natural Gas website. For more information, contact Carol Loveland at 570-320-4429 or by email at cal24@psu.edu.

Penn State Extension's Marcellus Education Team provides monthly webinars on a variety of topics. Future webinars include the following:

--Sept 17: An Overview of "A Geologic Play Book for Utica Shale Appalachian Basin Exploration," Douglas Patchen, West Virginia University Research Corporation.

--Oct 15: "Public, Animal, and Environmental Health -- An Early One-Health Look at the Issues," Dr. David Wolfgang, Penn State extension veterinarian, field studies director in veterinary and biomedical sciences, and co-director of the Resource Center for Animal Care and Health.

Nov 19: "LNG Export," Tom Murphy, director, Penn State Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research.

Previous webinars, publications and information also are available on the Penn State Extension natural-gas website, covering a variety of topics, such as Act 13; seismic testing; air pollution from gas development; water use, quality and recycling; natural-gas liquids regional development; natural-gas reserves; gas-leasing considerations for landowners; legal issues surrounding gas development; and the impact of Marcellus gas development on forestland.