Natural gas drilling operations in Dimock, Pa., are violating laws to protect water and the public, Pennsylvania regulators have determined. The state Department of Environmental Protection is holding Cabot Oil & Gas accountable for allowing natural gas from lower formations to contaminate fresh water supplies, according to a “Notice of Violation” sent to Cabot dated [...]
Frac Fluids
Polluted Water Wells Out West
Hundreds of water wells polluted with hydrocarbons have been discovered in and around natural gas drilling sites in Wyoming and Colorado. Some wells have undergone explosions and other strange phenomena. Hydraulic Fracturing is being done to these wells, although the jury is out if this is causing all of the problems. Another theory involves “the [...]
Impressions from the PA gas drilling summit (Dec 10th – 11th, 2008)
A contingent from Cornell attended the PA gas summit organized by Penn State University from Dec 10 – 11. The powerpoint presentations from the summit are now available online. Since the development of the Marcellus is more advanced in PA, my objective for attending the summit was to see what lessons could be drawn from [...]
Disposing of Frac Water
Clearly one of the most important issues surrounding the impact of gas well drilling in the Marcellus shale is the disposal of the frac water, due to the potentially high content of dissolved salts. The Scranton Times Tribune reported yesterday (Jan. 14) that the PA Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) is forming a partnership with [...]
