Geologist explains the potential of natural gas deposits under Chatham

Jeffrey C. Reid, senior geologist for the NC Geological Survey, provided an overview of the shale natural gas deposits that may be located under parts of Chatham County during the August 16 meeting of the Chatham County Board of Commissioners. Reid also noted potential environmental impacts of drilling for the gas. They discussed that the Deep River shale deposit is a somewhat narrow strip in a rift about 150 miles long, starting north of Raleigh and heading southwest to Anson and Montgomery counties along the South Carolina border.