Chesapeake Energy has lost control of a natural gas well in the Marcellus shale that was in the process of being fracture stimulated.

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Unlike the normal gas extraction, chemically treated water is forced upon the rock underground to fracture it releasing the gas in the process.

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In this process, after a well is drilled, pressurized water is injected into the well to fracture the shale and open fissures that enable natural gas to flow more freely out of the well.

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The process involves pumping water containing small percentages of other materials into the porous shale under pressure to hydraulically fracture it and release the trapped oil and gas.

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