Archive for the ‘Gas Wells’ Category

Interesting Articles in the Rocket-Courier this Week

Monday, March 9th, 2009

I don’t get the chance to see the Rocket-Courier much as it isn’t sold near where I live.  This week, however, I picked up a copy as I spent the day in Tyler Memorial (in the waiting room, waiting for someone else) and became extremely bored. 

On the first page, the headline grabbed me: Can Rural Drinking Water be Protected from Gas Drilling.  Here is the link:

 http://74.95.82.236:591/rconline/FMPro?-db=rconline.fp5&-format=record%5fdetail.html&-lay=detail&-sortfield=currentrecordid&-sortorder=descend&TopStory=Y&ArticleStatus=Current&-max=20&-recid=12610889&-find=

George Turner, a certified geologist, who is interviewed for the story, indicates that you can’t stop the drilling around you, but you can protect yourself legally by getting an independent party to take a water sample to a certified lab. 

The importance of this is to maintain the “chain of custody”.  This means that the water sample can be documented to have been taken at a specific location and transported via a third (independent) party to a certified lab for testing. 

Once this is done, you have a record of what the water quality was on your property as of that day. 

So, that being said, what about the water tests which were taken by the homeowner and sent off for testing.  The first question which will be raised if there is a problem will be ” Can you prove where this sample came from?”  Unless you have a disinterested third party taking the test and conveying it to a certified lab, you don’t have much to work with. 

Good article.  It ’s worth the read.

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The second article is entitled “Gas Boom Could Bring Wave of Philanthropy”.   It is not available on the web currently, but it is an interesting read as well. 

Here the author of the article explores a few of the limitless possibilities of what people could do in the area by combining a portion of their natural gas revenues for the betterment of the community.  Of course, since the paper is based in Wyalusing, the areas mentioned are located primarily in Bradford County, but there are some which are pretty much universal.

Two well written articles which are worth the time and the $1.15 if you want the actual paper.

Your thoughts

Question: Do You Feel That State and Local Agencies are Doing Enough to Inform and Protect Residents from Gas Drilling Operations? UPDATED

Sunday, February 15th, 2009

We have had documented fuel spills, the most recent being reported  January 30th (Cabot Oil and Gas spilled 100 gallons).  We have had gas getting into some private water wells and contamination getting in some others. 

The Scranton Times-Tribune had an article in the February 16th edition entitled Gas Well Lessors Weigh Environmental Cost.  Here is the link:  http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/articles/2009/02/16/news/sc_times_trib.20090216.a.pg1.tt16dimock_s1.2296976_top3.txt

 Do you feel the DEP and other State agencies, Federal agencies (EPA) and the like, along with our local agencies are doing enough to reasonably inform us about and protect us from these operations?   

If so, please explain.   If not, please explain.

There are many on both sides of the issue.  Let’s start talking.

Natural Gas Found in Local Wells! Injection Well Planned?? Please, Get a Baseline Test Done on Your Water

Sunday, February 1st, 2009

It is no secret this writer has been concerned (to say the least) about the exploitation of the Marcellus Shale and the lack of accurate, official information provided to the landowners of the area, both those who leased their land and those who didn’t.

It appears that some who live near the drilling in Dimock Township have natural gas in their drinking water.  This has been reported by local and regional newspapers.  This is only one of the potential side effects of drilling for natural gas in our area.   As most of you know, there was an explosion around January 1, 2009 which leveled a well house at a private residence in Dimock Township.  Other reports have surfaced as well.  This is a serious issue. 

Now there is word Susquehanna County may be getting it’s first INJECTION WELL in the area of Auburn Township.  After all that has been written about injection wells in other parts of the country (Texas, for example) as well as unofficial comments from various regulatory officials, it escapes this writer as to what the mentality is here. 

 A little research brought up the following: 

Class II Injection Wells are the ones which dispose of brine, etc. which is the major byproduct of fracturing (fracing) a well.

First, a link to two official US EPA website regarding injection wells   http://www.epa.gov/SAFEWATER/uic/wells_class2.html

http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps21800/www.epa.gov/safewater/uic/classii.html

Next is a website showing an injection well site in Wise County, Texas  http://txsharon.blogspot.com/2007/10/injection-well-up-close-and-personal.html

Next, starting on Page 954, from the Standard Handbook of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering by William C. Lyons and Joseph Zaba, is mostly technical information regarding “production water and drilling muds”.  Note the discussed total disolved solids in table 6-91 as well as a discussion of NORM (naturally occurring Radioactive material) on page 961 and the following discussion of Class II wells.  http://books.google.com/books?id=dQWp8AbHhtEC&pg=PA962&lpg=PA962&dq=class+II+injection+well&source=web&ots=llviurNyiF&sig=OJAGbWTs-cJbpHG8ZCK61TuU9W4&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result#PPA954,M1

By the way, you will note in the pages above, there is a discussion about concerns about PUBLIC water supplies.  Of course, most residents of Susquehanna County get their drinking water from private wells.  So, who is concerned about them?  Obviously not the gas and oil companies.

Whether or not you and your land are signed up for potential drilling, remember that we who live in the Marcellus Shale are all going to be affected one way or another by the effects of drilling, the briney, carcenogenic waste water and other factors which haven’t made themselves known to this point. 

All that being said, I urge you to get a baseline water test done (not the ones where you drop off the sample at PennState Extension or let the gas company do it for you).  Specifically, the test needs to be done by a third party, taken to an independent testing lab who is capable of testing for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) as well as total disolved solids and other items.  The test will probably cost between $300 and $500.  Subsequent follow up tests can be done for roughly $100 and should be done once a year or more often if there is drilling activity (production well or injection well) in the area.  My personal criterial is within one mile. 

At the end of the day, if you don’t have a baseline test and something happens to your water, you will probably not have a leg to stand on.  If you do, you will know when you and your family is drinking something other than clean, safe water.   

Your comments?

Gas Muse 9/4/2008 Newsweek Article “A Toxic Spew”

Thursday, September 4th, 2008

This is an article which ran in Newsweek dated 8/20/2008. 

In the past, there have been discussions on this blog regarding what county officials can do to protect our citizens.  This article has one Colorado county discussing implementing a regulation which would require the drilling company to disclose the contents of fracing fluid in the event emergency room workers were exposed.  This should extend to anyone who has been exposed to these carcinogenic chemicals. 

http://www.newsweek.com/id/154394/page/1

The medical personnel in the area need to be brought up to speed regarding treatment, handling and personal exposure of people who have been contaminated with these chemicals.  

IT’S TIME FOR OUR COUNTY, TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OFFICIALS, HEALTH CARE WORKERS, VOLUNTEER FIRE, AMBULANCE AND OTHER RELATED PERSONNEL TO BE TRAINED IN WHAT TO LOOK FOR, HOW TO RESPOND AND WHAT PRECAUTIONS NEED TO BE TAKEN “WHEN - NOT IF” THESE INDUSTRIAL “ACCIDENTS” OCCUR. 

Obviously, this is occuring in other areas of the country, it will occur here.  Will we be ready?  Will our elected officials do anything to protect us?

Gas Muse 8-25-2008 Front Page Story Regarding Fracing and Toxic Wastewater - Scranton Times-Tribune

Monday, August 25th, 2008

Here is the link:

http://www.scrantontimes.com/articles/2008/08/25/news/sc_times_trib.20080825.a.pg1.tt25water_s1.1882104_top2.txt

“Currently no way to treat million of gallons of wastwater in NEPA” (Scranton Times-Tribune 8-25-2008)

Gas Muse 8-23-2008 - Op-Ed in Scranton Times, Susquehanna County Railroad Authority and More

Saturday, August 23rd, 2008

OP-ED IN SCRANTON TIMES 

Finally, there is some notice in the regional media regarding the potential problems with fracing gas wells.  Here is the link:

http://www.scrantontimes.com/articles/2008/08/23/editorial/sc_times_trib.20080823.a.pg12.tt23edit1_s1.1892634_edi.txt

SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY RAILROAD AUTHORITY 

One fairly simple way to get rid of most of the frac water is to contract with an approved recycling plant (the nearest is in Western, PA) and send it out there in rail tank cars.  Certainly it would be much more efficient than using trucks and a whole lot more ecologically sound than building retention ponds or injection wells.  Shipping could occur from the proposed rail transload facility in the New Milford area.

 Oh wait, no it couldn’t either.  Our fine county commissioners have not seen fit (other than minimal lip service) to support the railroad authority at all.  Maybe the Central Bradford Progress Authority (the economic development arm of Susquehanna County) could work with them to get some funding for this project. 

No wait, that won’t happen either.  Anthony Ventello, the executive director of the Central Bradford Progress Authority was scheduled to attend a recent meeting of the railroad authority.  He never showed.  He was immediately called by a commissioner and made some lame excuse for not attending.  Over the past couple of years, both the current and past commissioners have directed Ventello to work with the railroad authority.  According so some current and past members, he won’t even respond to written correspondence sent him by the railroad authority.  Just remember, we taxpayers are paying for his services (or lack of same).  It is this same lack of action on the part of former commissioner Roberta Kelly and former and current commissioner MaryAnn Warren which caused the railroad authority to lose a $2.5 million release of funds to create a transload facility.   This has lead to the loss of  some needed infrastructure. 

As has been noted here previously, commissioner Michael Giangrieco has never supported the railroad authority - from the time when he was county solicitor and wrote this letter:

letter-from-michael-giangreco-4-8-2003-stating-no-muni-code-for-rr-authority.PDF

Obviously, there is no commitment to railroad related economic development in this county. 

GAS LEASES AND WELLS 

Going back to the op-ed piece, not knowing what will happen with your legislators regarding injection wells, etc., you may want to get a really good baseline water test on you private water well before a gas well is fraced in the area.  Also, it wouldn’t hurt to keep tabs on John Hanger, the next secretary of Environmental Protection in Pennsylvania. 

It has been said that Chesapeake and one or two others have stopped writing leases in Susquehanna County.  It is the understanding of this writer that Chesapeake does not have any drilling permits in the area.  So, are they just going to sell their existing leases (at a substantial profit of course) or just wait? 

Apparently the newest leases offered by some companies have finally gotten rid of the arbitration clause.  This is really a win for the landowners.  But don’t rush off to sign.  There are still the above noted environmental issues as well as the fact that there isn’t enough money or percentage offered yet. 

If you don’t NEED the money, don’t sign.  If you can wait, the numbers will only go up, especially after some of these wells are connected to the transmission line.

Here is the link to the map of gas wells, permits for wells and permits to connect to the Tennsessee Gas Transmission Pipeline in the area:

 http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=h&msa=0&msid=109081933932637779023.00044fb7409fbc47fd65d&ll=41.739297,-75.815449&spn=0.111183,0.243244&z=13

This map is updated on a regular basis.  By the way, it is not the product of the author of this blog or anyone associated with this blog.  So, thank the author, Railroad - RR,  for all the work it takes to keep this map updated. 

Your thoughts?

Gas Muse 8-19-2008 Change the Names and It Could Be Here!

Tuesday, August 19th, 2008

Apparently there are other companies leasing land (at least in Upstate New York).  This time is it is for windmills.  Give them time, they will be here.  Then you can lease the surface rights to your land as well as the mineral rights.   The question then becomes - “What do you really have left to sell?” 

The following article from the New York Times is about the possible corruption of local officials regarding wind farms.  

 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/18/nyregion/18windmills.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&sq=burke,%20ny&st=cse&scp=1

Do you think that will be happening here?  Has it already happened?  Is it happening now? 

Who is making sure the excellent roads we have here will be protected from deteriorating into mudholes and potholes?  Have the townships a plan in place to get a meaningful bond from these gas companies when the drilling starts?  Or are the various supervisors taking a “wait and see” approach?  Or is that wait and do nothing, hoping the gas companies will make things “right”?  How about enacting ordinances NOW to limit noise, smell, light, runoff, soil erosion, protect drinking water quality, etc. as well as from bothering other landowners, some of whom have not signed and will not sign a lease?

Your thoughts? 

Gas Muse 8-16-2008 A Viewpoint from Another Area

Saturday, August 16th, 2008

The following is from Thompson.  Thank you

In a letter to the The Post-Standard of Syracuse, NY, published on August 12, 2008, Peter Grannis, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, said:

“Before any permits are issued for horizontal wells in the Marcellus formation we will know what is going into and coming out of the ground. We will know how the large quantities of water needed for these operations will be managed and stored in order to protect out critical water resources. And we will know how any wastewater will be properly treated.”The people of Central New York love their land. Gov. Paterson and I understand and share their feelings. As we move forward to address the potential drilling in the Marcellus Shale, DEC will be there, working in partnership with local communities, to ensure that our precious land, air, water and natural resources are fully protected.”

I hope the folk in Harrisburg feel the same way.

Conflict of Interest? 7-25-2008

Friday, July 25th, 2008

According to published reports along with other sources, on July 16, our President Judge, Kenneth Seamans ruled that Minority County Commissioner Michael Giangrieco, Esq., is disqualified from the Assessment Appeals Board, regarding matters of Clean and Green.  The ruling was the result of Raymond Davis, Esq., filing a lawsuit on behalf of Rosemary, Todd and James Greenwood, in part requesting that Giangrieco be disqualified due to his involvement in multiple lawsuits against Cabot Oil and Gas, in which he is attempting on behalf of his clients to have gas leases voided.

 Congratulations to Attorney Davis for stepping up to the plate and calling foul. 

Gas Muse 7-9-2008

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008

A legal ad in the Susquehanna Transcript today indicates there is a landman who will be holding a meeting in Susquehanna tomorrow to give information and try to get blocks of people to sign a gas lease.  I find it very interesting that they want to get even the smallest parcels signed up.  It indicates trying to create blocks of property owners in the Borough.  The ad is directed toward residents and business owners.  There are a significant number of owners who are NOT residents.  I wonder if they are specifically excluded or just poor wording in the legal. 

 It is fascinating that they are trying to get town parcels.  Maybe they (and possibly correctly) assume that because fuel oil is around $4.50 currently and climbing, that many will sign just to be able to pay their heating bill this winter. 

As Thompson noted previously, with 145 years of experience, they know more than we do. Do not sign a lease without knowing exactly what you are signing. If you think you do, you need to re-read it again, then get a qualified attorney to review and make changes in your favor.

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The attached comments to this post (below) contain some very interesting material.  Take the time to review them especially if you have any interest in considering a lease.

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 Your thoughts?