April Science Cafe
OXFORD, Miss. – Energy production in Mississippi is the focus for a monthly public science forum organized by the University of Mississippi Department of Physics and Astronomy.
The spring semester’s fourth and final meeting of the Oxford Science Cafe is set for 6 p.m. April 22 at Lusa Pastry Cafe, 2305 West Jackson Ave. in Oxford. Greg Easson, director of Mississippi Mineral Resources Institute at UM, will discuss “Energy Production in Mississippi through Hydraulic Fracturing.” Admission is free.
“Hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, is the process of enhancing the characteristics of an oil and/or gas well to increase production,” Easson said. “While hydraulic fracturing is not a new process, advances in technology have made it possible to drill horizontal wells through previously unproductive geologic units and fracture the rock to economically produce the energy resources.”
Easson’s 45-minute presentation will include a discussion of drilling and hydraulic fracturing history, environmental issues associated with the processes, water use issues and a discussion of activities in southwest Mississippi. The talk will be followed by a question-and-answer session.
Easson earned his Ph.D. and master’s degrees from the University of Missouri at Rolla and bachelor’s degree from Southwest Missouri State University. Before assuming his present position in 2010, he was chair and professor of geology and geological engineering at UM. Easson has also worked for the U.S. Geological Survey and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
His research interests are in the various aspects of Gulf Coast geology, remote sensing and geographic information system development.
For more information about Oxford Science Café programs, go to http://www.phy.olemiss.edu/oxfordsciencecafe. For more information about the Department of Physics and Astronomy, go to http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/physics_and_astronomy/ or call 662-915-5311.