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DEP Plans Investigation Into Marcellus Shale Well Blowout In Clearfield County
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Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger said Friday his agency intends to investigate aggressively the circumstances surrounding a blowout at a Marcellus Shale natural gas well in Lawrence Township, Clearfield County, and take the appropriate enforcement action.
At approximately 8 p.m. on June 3, the operators of the well, which is owned by EOG Resources, Inc., lost control of it while preparing to extract gas after hydrofracturing the shale. As a result, the well released natural gas and flowback frack fluid onto the ground and 75 feet into the air.
The well was eventually capped around noon on June 4.
"The event at the well site could have been a catastrophic incident that endangered life and property," said Secretary Hanger. "This was not a minor accident, but a serious incident that will be fully investigated by this agency with the appropriate and necessary actions taken quickly.
"When we arrived on scene, natural gas and frack fluid was flowing off the well pad and heading toward tributaries to Little Laurel Run and gas was shooting into the sky, creating a significant fire hazard. That's why emergency responders acted quickly to cut off electric service to the area.
"Right now, we're focused on limiting any further environmental damage, but once that work is complete, we plan to aggressively look at this situation and see where things went wrong and what enforcement action is necessary. If mistakes were made, we will be certain to take steps to prevent similar errors from happening again."
DEP learned of the leak at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Friday after it was informed by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. DEP immediately dispatched its Emergency Response and Oil and Gas program staff to the site.
PEMA, which elevated its activation level to coordinate resources among multiple state agencies, also worked with PennDOT to initiate an airspace restriction above the well, which the Federal Aviation Administration authorized on a temporary basis earlier today. The restriction prohibits flights at and below 1,000 feet of ground level within a three nautical mile radius of the well site. The restriction is in effect until further notice.
The EOG well pad is located in a rural area near the Penfield/Route 153 exit of Interstate 80 in northwestern Clearfield County. Three other wells on the same pad that have been drilled and fractured remain plugged and are not in danger.
EOG Resources, formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Co., operates approximately 265 active wells in Pennsylvania, 117 of which are in the Marcellus Shale formation.
House Environmental Chair
In a statement, Rep. Bud George (D-Clearfield), Majority Chair of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, said, "Local and state officials did a wonderful job responding to a very dangerous situation that fortunately did not cause any injuries or deaths.
"I have said for many months that extraction of any natural resource comes with risks and costs and I only wish I had not been proved correct so quickly and so close to home.
"This dangerous situation should prompt the Pennsylvania Legislature to move more promptly on my House Bill 2213, which would require disclosure of the precise chemical concentrations in the fracking fluids. This can be crucial information in emergencies such as this.
"Giving the gas industry a free ride at the expense of Pennsylvania taxpayers, water resources, roads and economy is a poor deal for everyone but the gas industry," Rep. George said. "We have a responsibility to insist on responsibility."
Industry Reaction
The Marcellus Shale Coalition is closely monitoring the situation in Moshannon State Forest, Clearfield County, which has been secured. The MSC issued this statement regarding the incident, as well as its commitment to environmental responsibility and safety:
“The Marcellus Shale Coalition’s foremost commitment is to ensure the safety of our member company employees and contractors, the public, and the Commonwealth’s environment. This incident in Clearfield County is a very serious one -- just as we recognize that every environmental incident, no matter how small, is very serious.
“We are heartened to learn that no one was injured, and that safety and the environment were top priorities in the immediate response.
“MSC members are constantly working to enhance their operations, as well as working alongside regulatory agencies at all levels of government, to make certain that every stage involved in the shale gas production process is performed safely and responsibly.”
Natural Gas, Drilling Fluids Spewing From Clearfield County Well
Crews Try To Cap Out-Of-Control Clearfield Marcellus Shale Gas Well Natural Gas, Drilling Fluids Spewing From Clearfield Well Marcellus Shale Gas Well Rupture Forces Evacuation |
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6/7/2010 |
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