Dec. 27--It snaked its way through downtown Scranton. Across sidewalks. Over crusty piles of snow. Through intersections.

And it didn't stop there. It worked its way on Routes 6 and 11 through Clarks Summit and out to Tunkhannock.

Nothing seemed to get in its way.

And then as quickly as it appeared a day earlier, it was gone by late Friday afternoon.

The big question left in its wake: What the heck was it anyway?

The world's longest extension cord? A multi-municipality tether? The mother of all dog leashes?

Truth is, it's a bit more technical.

The thin, yellow cord that stretched for miles was part of a three-dimensional seismic survey by a Texas-based company to map subterranean geology for pockets of natural gas.

Dawson Geophysical Co. of Midland, Texas, is collecting information in Northeast Pennsylvania over several months that will aid potential natural gas drilling ventures, according to state and local officials.

The seismic analysis comes amid increased interest and investment in the Marcellus Shale formation.

"They go around thumping on rock, and they have a good idea of what is 7,000 feet below," said James L. Williams, an Arkansas energy economist. "Basically, what they're trying to do is get more information about what's down there before throwing a few million to build a well."

The process is "very nonintrusive," he said.

So how does that yellow cord come into play?

A seven- to eight-person crew runs several miles of data lines that are connected to vibration sensors, which are strategically placed along the line by using a global positioning system. Vibrations are then sent into the ground by "thumper trucks" that drive along the route and the sensors record impulses that return. After the data are gathered, they are sent to Dawson's data processing center in Midland to be interpreted by analysts, who produce three-dimensional seismic data for major and independent oil and gas companies.

The data provide a blueprint of the subsurface geology, diminishing the probability of marginal and dry well locations, according to Dawson's Web site.

Numerous efforts to reach company officials Friday were unsuccessful.

As the increasing demands of gas exploration continue, Mr. Williams said seismic studies will likely increase due to a lack existing data.

"There just hasn't been much drilling of shale or drilling activity in your area for decades," he said.

Dawson has applied for highway occupancy permits for the studies in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Pike and Wyoming counties, according to the state Department of Transportation.

"It is basically for them to see where the Marcellus Shale is and that is why they are doing this," said Kevin Miluszusky, an assistant permits manager for PennDOT. "It gives them a map of what is underground."

Scranton public works director Jeff Brazil was informed of the project about three months ago, he said.

"I was told they were doing exploration for gas. Not in Scranton but areas around Scranton," he said. "We just happen to fall in the middle of their plans."

In freezing cold weather Friday, crews of men laid lines in South Abington Twp. and Scranton, among others. They later returned to retrieve the lines.

"We go where ever the contract tells us to go," said Jesus Guadarroma, a Dawson employee. "We've been doing this all over, West Virginia, Kentucky and Pennsylvania."

Contact the writer: kmontone@timesshamrock.com

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