Marcellus Shale Reserves

This chart, published by Pittsburgh Live on Oct. 19, 2010, has several good elements and a few that I don't particularly like. I like that the number of wells each company owns is paired with how much natural gas they produce. It gives perspective on how much gas a well can pump and if the pumps are efficient compared to others. The contrasting colors also help distinguish between the bars of information. I also like that the companies are listed from highest producers to lowest.

I don't like that this graphic could not stand on its own. There is no explanation about how the Marcellus shale reserves are different for pumping natural gas than regular wells. Shale reserves are a relatively new way of pumping gas so this graphic would be much stronger if that information was given to the reader. Also, this graphic is not interactive. A map with locations and owners of the wells would have helped the reader understand where the Marcellus shale reserves are located in Pennsylvania.