Stray Gas Endangers Lives, Threatens Water Supplies

Harrisburg – Companies drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale must follow proper well construction procedures to prevent gas migration problems that endanger public health and safety and threaten residential water supplies, Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger told a group of drilling company representatives meeting today in Harrisburg.

Hanger and staff from DEP’s Bureau of Oil and Gas Management met with industry officials to review state regulations governing the proper construction of deep, high-pressure natural gas wells. Hanger called the meeting after natural gas migrating from Marcellus Shale wells contaminated residential water supplies in Dimock, Susquehanna County.

“As we have seen in Dimock, stray gas migrating from improperly constructed wells can build up to explosive levels near and inside homes and can make residential water supplies unusable,” Hanger said. “The drilling industry is ultimately responsible for ensuring their wells are properly constructed and must use the best casing and cementing practices to prevent problems. We will hold drillers in Pennsylvania accountable for problems caused by drilling.”

In addition, the secretary also stressed the need for companies to respond promptly to complaints of gas migration from natural gas wells and to immediately notify the department and local emergency responders to ensure that lives and property are protected.

“The marcellus gas industry in Pennsylvania can and must be the very best in the world. Strong rules and enforcement combined with companies dedicated to production, environmental and safety excellence is the way to become world class,” Hanger added.

DEP staff and drilling operators discussed the status of ongoing gas migration investigations at drilling sites and reviewed proposed regulations that strengthen well construction standards and establish procedures for reporting gas migration problems. Those regulations will be presented to the Environmental Quality Board for consideration on May 17.

For more information, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us.