Amy Mall's Blog: Health and the Environment

Constructing oil and gas wells: "many of today's wells are at risk"

2010-05-14T22:54:10Z

The tragic catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico caused by the oil spilling from the Deepwater Horizon rig sounds more and more like the results of a perfect storm of poor drilling practices. We've read about potential contributors being the cementing process, faulty equipment, unorthodox process, drilling mud weight, what testing that was done, and whether or not anyone was paying attention to the results of tests along the way. What happened may have been a combination of one or more of these. NRDC colleagues are blogging with more information on the disaster in the Gulf. It is essential that there is as thorough an investigation as possible to ensure that nothing like this happens again.

Well construction accidents are not limited to offshore drilling. These types of failures occurr onshore, including faulty cementing and casing. A 2003 article in Oilfield Review details all of the things that can go wrong before, during and after cementing. It concludes that ".....many of today's wells are at risk." I have heard from people with industry experience about many things that can potentially go wrong during the well construction process. Here are just a few examples of onshore cementing and casing accidents.

In 2004, EnCana drilled a well in Garfield County, Colorado. The company ran tests which showed the cement was far below the level required on the well permit and that there could be some pressure issues in the well. Yet EnCana continued to complete and hydraulically fracture the well. Shortly after, a local citizen reported seeing gas bubbling in West Divide Creek--a creek that supports aquatic life, recreation, water supply needs, and agriculture. High levels of benzene were found in the creek as well as in springs fed by groundwater. It was estimated that 115 million cubic feet of natural gas blew out underground and some of it found its way to the groundwater. Despite remedial cementing, benzene and other hydrocarbons continue to be found in the groundwater six years later.

In Dimock, Pennslyvania, groundwater was contaminated in 2009 for nine square miles, leading to a loss of clean drinking water for 14 families. One family's water well exploded, and residents reported neurological and gastrointestinal illnesses. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection found "insufficient or improper cemented casings" in up to six natural gas wells.

In Bainbridge Township, Ohio, an investigation by the State of Ohio found that a natural gas well was completed and fractured in 2007 even though "the cement behind casing was insufficient by standard industry practice." One house exploded, and the accident contaminated the underground source of drinking water for more than 40 families and the Bainbridge police station.

In Bradford Township, Pennsylvania, the state's Department of Environmental Protection found contamination in the drinking water of at least seven families in 2009. It was caused by the drilling of 26 natural gas wells in one little community. The PADEP found a lack of a cement return in some natural gas wells, needed to protect aquifers from contamination, as well as excessive pressure in others.

In 2006, a drill rig in Clark, Wyoming, encountered an overpressured zone at a depth of over 8,000 feet and experienced a blow-out. Drilling mud, natural gas, and natural gas condensate erupted up through the ground up to 150 feet away from the well. Twenty-five nearby homes were evacuated for several days. Ultimately it was determined that eight million cubic feet of explosive methane and vaporized drilling fluids were released into the atmosphere. Drinking water sources and surface soils were contaminated with benzene, and local springs had high levels of petroleum hydrocarbons. The cause of the Clark blow-out was found to be "weaknesses in the surface casing."

These accidents all contaminated clean water. There are accidents like the one in Clark, where it's clear something happened (although the operator waited hours before reporting the accident to authorities). But in others, citizens are the ones reporting the problems. No one notifies them that there was an accident and their water may have been contaminated; it's not until they smell, taste, or see the contamination that they know there is something wrong. There are likely many accidents that the public doesn't even know occurred because the effects are as yet undetected.

As the Pennsylvania Secretary of Environmental Protection said yesterday: "There’s no such thing as zero-impact drilling.” We need to end our addiction to fossil fuels, but that won't happen overnight. What can happen overnight is a change in company practices with a new emphasis on quality control and safety, rather than speed and greed. In the immediate future, stronger environmental regulations are essential to minimize the chances of accidents like these happening again.

Another state reported to have poor enforcement of oil and gas rules: Colorado

2010-05-12T18:20:12Z

I have blogged in the past about insufficient state oil and gas regulations, inspection, and enforcement across the country, from California to Texas to Pennsylvania. A new article in the Colorado Independent reports that state regulators in Colorado have yet to resolve some extremely signifant cases of environmental contamination from oil or gas drilling that are two to three years old.

In one case, a Colorado resident drank water contaminated with benzene and had to go to the hospital. In another, a company spilled more than 30,000 barrels of used hydraulic fracturing fluid that flowed into a creek.

Colorado recently updated some of its oil and gas rules, which was an excellent first step toward improving regulation of this industry in my home state. The new rules are a considerable improvement over the old rules. But some of the rules do not go far enough to protect the environment and human health, and some very important issues have not yet been addressed. We need comprehensive updated regulations where oil and gas drilling takes place. And we also need vigorous enforcement of whatever rules are on the books. Letting years go by before companies are penalized for violating the law and contaminating our land and water is not acceptable.

Largest organization of water professionals endorses federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing

2010-04-23T18:00:32Z

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) is the "authoritative resource on safe water." It is the largest and oldest association of water professionals in the world. It has more than 60,000 members--including more than 4,600 water supply utilities, water treatment plant operators and managers, scientists, environmentalists, manufacturers, academicians, and regulators. The members of AWWA oversee most of North America's drinking water.

AWWA has endorsed federal legislation to federally regulate hydraulic fracturing ---the Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals (FRAC) Act--"in the interest of protecting current sources of drinking water and potential sources in the future."

Texas state official supports stronger environmental protections for oil and gas operations

2010-04-16T16:49:35Z

The Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office, Jerry Patterson, oversees more than 20 million acres of state lands and mineral-right properties in Texas. According to a new Bloomberg/Business Week article, he supports stronger protections from the environmental harm caused by oil and gas production operations. That's right -- a prominent politician in Texas acknowledges that the industry needs to clean up its act.

I really recommend this article. It tells a powerful story about the lax regulation at the state level and the inability of the federal Environmental Protection Agency to fill the gap in protection. The article also profiles the Burns family. They have been fighting for years to clean up the toxic pollution on their Texas ranch--including benzene in their groundwater, radioactive soil, petroleum products oozing from pits that were buried on site, fumes eminating from the ground, and more.

The article reports that, in addition to active producing wells, there are "more than 100,000 old wells in Texas that haven’t been capped and thousands of defunct gas-processing plants, compressor stations and related equipment that have never been dismantled" -- meaning they could still be major sources of toxic pollution.

We know that the industry has the option of conducting its business in cleaner ways by controlling toxic waste in tanks intead of dumping it onto the ground, capturing hazardous air emissions instead of allowing them to vent into the air, minimizing the use of toxic chemicals, and more. There is a section on these solutions in our Drilling Down report. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem these practices will be adopted widely unless and until they are mandated by government.

In a previous blog post I linked to some videos taken by Elizabeth Burns. The Burns family could have walked away from the problems on their ranch. Instead they are suing Exxon-Mobil and Chevron, paying for testing of their land, water and air, documenting the evidence of contamination caused by this industry, and telling their story to help educate and protect others. They are one of many families around the country who are devoting the bulk of their free time and energy--their heart and soul--to fighting for their air, land, water and community. I am grateful to them all. Elizabeth Burns posts information, videos and more on her website.

Call me naïve, a socialist, a radical environmentalist, just old-fashioned, or what you will, but whatever happened to the idea that we should do unto others as we would have them do unto us? That preventing harm from our own actions is a good thing, and that we should clean up our own messes. Does someone at Exxon-Mobil really think that it can't spare some of the $19 billion it made in profits last year to keep communities and families safe from its own pollution?

A first-hand view of Dimock, Pennsylvania

2010-04-15T21:48:29Z

I've written in the past of the environmental assault on Dimock, Pennsylvania, from natural gas drilling, including drinking water contamation and chemical leaks and spills.

My colleague Kate Sinding recently visited Dimock. You can see her photos and read the powerful story of her visit on her blog.

More alarming air quality information from Texas natural gas drilling, including benzene

2010-04-13T18:02:16Z

The Dallas Morning News recently reviewed hundreds of pages of documents regarding air emissions from natural gas production facilities in the Barnett Shale area of Texas. The paper reports that these documents "reveal a pattern of emissions of toxic compounds, often including cancer-causing benzene, from Barnett Shale facilities."

For example, they found that one compressor station--located 150 yards from several homes--had benzene levels six times the amount than can cause health problems with just short exposure, and 786 times the amount that could cause problems with lifelong exposure. Benzene is a known carcinogen.

They also found that about one in five locations where emissions were found were clearly a leak from a stuck or broken valve or an open hatch on a condensate tank. These are things that are easily fixed and can save companies money.

Hydraulic fracturing a suspect in three new reported incidents of drinking water impacts in Arkansas

2010-04-12T23:44:22Z

I am keeping a running list of incidents where hydraulic fracturing is a suspected cause of endangering drinking water. I will be updating the list as I learn of new incidents.

Today I am updating the list with three new reports from Arkansas. In all cases, the homeowners wish to remain anonymous.

Bee Branch: In 2009, a family reported their drinking water turned gray and cloudy and had noxious odors after hydraulic fracturing of a nearby natural gas well owned by Southwestern Energy Company.

Center Ridge: A family reported that in 2007, after hydraulic fracturing of wells owned by Southwestern Energy Company, their water turned red or orange and looked like it had clay in it. They told their story on YouTube.

Center Ridge: A homeowner reported that after hydraulic fracturing of a well owned by Southwestern Energy Company in 2008 his water turned brown, smelled bad, and had sediment in it. He also told his story on YouTube.

Please continue to send me information regarding suspected hydraulic fracturing impacts on drinking water.

Incidents where hydraulic fracturing is a suspected cause of drinking water contamination

2010-04-06T19:00:09Z

NRDC supports federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing under the Safe Drinking Water Act. We believe this is a sensible approach that would ensure a minimum federal floor of drinking water protection in the more than 30 states where oil and gas production occurs.

Opponents of such regulation claim that hydraulic fracturing has never caused any drinking water contamination. They say this because incidents of drinking water contamination where hydraulic fracturing is considered as a suspected cause have not been sufficiently investigated, either because scientists and regulators could not properly investigate (did not have the information or technology needed) or because they chose not to, even where signs clearly point to hydraulic fracturing. Some cases where groundwater was contaminated during hydraulic fracturing operations have been attributed to other causes, such as faulty well structure, even if a well failed during the hydraulic fracturing process.

Below is a list of incidents where drinking water has been contaminated and hydraulic fracturing is a suspected cause. I can't emphasize enough that there are many more cases of drinking water contamination around the country related to oil and gas production; those listed below are cases where a homeowner had enough detailed knowledge to know that a nearby well was recently fractured and specifically included that information in reports. In many cases of drinking water contamination where hydraulic fracturing has not been mentioned as the cause, it may be because the homeowner does not know if the nearby gas well was recently fractured. It does not mean that hydraulic fracturing is completely absolved. As you will see, these cases are not limited to just one company or one state. The stories from around the country are unfortunately familiar.

Please send me other incidents of which you are aware, and I will add them to this list.

Arkansas: In 2008, Charlene Parish of Bee Branch reported contamination of drinking water during hydraulic fracturing of a nearby natural gas well owned by Southwestern Energy Company. Her water smelled bad, turned yellow, and filled with silt.

Arkansas: In 2007, the Graetz family in Pangburn reported contamination of drinking water during hydraulic fracturing of a nearby natural gas well owned by Southwestern Energy Company. The water turned muddy and contained particles that were “very light and kind of slick” and resembled pieces of leather.

Arkansas: In 2009, a family in Bee Branch, who wishes to remain anonymous, reported changes in water pressure and drinking water that turned gray and cloudy and had noxious odors after hydraulic fracturing of a nearby natural gas well owned by Southwestern Energy Company.

Arkansas: In 2007, a family in Center Ridge reported changes in water pressure and water that turned red or orange and looked like it had clay in it after hydraulic fracturing of nearby wells owned by Southwestern Energy Company. They told their story on YouTube.

Arkansas: In 2008, a homeowner in Center Ridge reported changes in water pressure and water that turned brown, smelled bad, and had sediment in it after hydraulic fracturing of a nearby well owned by Southwestern Energy Company. He also told his story on YouTube.

Colorado: In 2001, two families in Silt reported a water well blow-out and contamination of their drinking water during hydraulic fracturing of four nearby natural gas wells owned by Ballard Petroleum, now Encana Corporation. Their drinking water turned gray, had strong smells, bubbled, and lost pressure. One family reported health symptoms they believe are linked to the groundwater contamination.

Colorado: In 2007, the Bounds family in Huerfano County reported a pump house exploded and contamination of drinking water during hydraulic fracturing of nearby wells owned by Petroglyph Energy.

New Mexico: A 2004 investigation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found two residents who reported that the quality of their water was affected by hydraulic fracturing.

New York: In 2007, the Lytle family in Seneca County reported contamination of drinking water the morning after hydraulic fracturing of a nearby natural gas well owned by Chesapeake Energy Corporation. The water turned gray and was full of sediment.

New York: In 2009, the Eddy family in Allegany County reported contamination of drinking water during hydraulic fracturing of a nearby well owned by U.S. Energy Development Corporation. The water turned "foamy, chocolate-brown."

Ohio: In 2007, there was an explosion of a water well and contamination of at least 22 other drinking water wells in Bainbridge Township after hydraulic fracturing of a nearby natural gas well owned by Ohio Valley Energy Systems. More than two years later, over forty families are still without clean drinking water and are waiting to be connected to a town water system.

Pennsylvania: In 2009, the Zimmerman family of Washington County reported contamination of drinking water after hydraulic fracturing of nearby natural gas wells owned by Atlas Energy. Water testing on their farm found arsenic at 2,600 times acceptable levels, benzene at 44 times above limits, naphthalene at five times the federal standard, and mercury and selenium levels above official limits.

Pennsylvania: In 2008, two families in Gibbs Hill reported contamination of drinking water after hydraulic fracturing of a nearby natural gas well owned by Seneca Resources Corporation. Their water had strong fumes, caused burning in lungs and sinuses after showering, and caused burning in the mouth immediately upon drinking.

Pennsylvania: In 2009, families in Bradford Township reported contamination of drinking water after hydraulic fracturing of nearby natural gas wells owned by Schreiner Oil & Gas. The drinking water of at least seven families has been contaminated.

Pennyslvania: In 2009, the Smitsky family in Hickory reported contamination of their drinking water after hydraulic fracturing of nearby natural gas wells owned by Range Resources. Their water became cloudy and foul-smelling. Testing found acrylonitrile, a chemical that may be used in hydraulic fracturing. The EPA is now investigating this incident.

Texas: In 2007, three families who share an aquifer in Grandview reported contamination of drinking water after hydraulic fracturing of a nearby well owned by Williams. They experienced strong odors in their water, changes in water pressure, skin irritation, and dead livestock. Water testing found toluene and other contaminants.

Virginia: Citizens reported drinking water contamination after hydraulic fracturing. Water was murky and had oily films, black sediments, methane, and diesel odors. Individuals experienced rashes from showering. The Buchanan Citizens Action Group reported over 100 documented complaints of adverse effects of hydraulic fracturing and the Dickenson County Citizens Committee reported ground water quality deteriorated throughout the county as a result of the large number of hydraulic fracturing events.

Wyoming: Families in the small town of Pavillion have been reporting contamination of their drinking water for at least ten years. Hydraulic fracturing has been used in the many wells in the area owned by Encana Corporation. Drinking water has turned black, smelled bad, and tasted bad. Individuals report medical symptoms they believe are related to water contamination. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is investigating and has found contamination in 11 water wells, including toxic chemicals that may be from hydraulic fracturing fluids. Further tests are needed to determine the source of contamination.

Last updated: April 12, 2010

Dozens of drinking water contamination incidents come to light in New York State

2010-04-06T16:28:57Z

A new investigation by the New York firm Toxics Targeting has found dozens of natural gas concerns that were never fully investigated nor remediated, including water contamination linked to hydraulic fracturing. The investigation found 39 incidents of drinking water complaints, including drinking water contaminated by methane, water turning brown, and water with particles in it. According to Toxics Targeting, these incidents reportedly involved inadequate laboratory testing that did not analyze for methane or, in some cases, no testing was conducted at all.

At least one case of drinking water contamination occurred after a nearby hydraulic fracturing operation.

Toxics Targeting concludes that it is beyond dispute that New York State lacks the effective means to report, assess and remediate oil and gas hazards in order to safeguard New York’s environment and public health. We agree.

Natural gas pit fire and leaking pipes - more accidents in Pennsylvania

2010-04-02T00:12:14Z

My last four blog posts have been about Pennsylvania. I am not picking on this state. It's just that a lot of news is being generated there.

Yesterday in western Pennsylvania a waste pit caught on fire. There are frightening photos on the websites of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Washington County, PA Observer-Reporter.

This fire occurred at the operation of a company that has already been fined for failing to control erosion and runoff at six well sites and for allowing spills of diesel fuel and production fluids at seven wells. When will penalties be made high enough that companies have a strong incentive to keep communities safe?

To add insult to injury, this fire occurred on the property of a family whose groundwater has been contaminated. When I read their name in the paper today I just couldn't believe it. I wrote about them last year--water testing found arsenic at 2,600 times acceptable levels, benzene at 44 times above limits, naphthalene at five times the federal standard, and mercury and selenium levels above official limits. This family does not own their mineral rights and is not receiving income from the natural gas operations on their farm.

Elsewhere in Pennsylvania, pipes conveying fluid to a frac job were found leaking on both March 22 and March 25. A citizen reporter captured the leaks on video. One video show some workers who appear to be standing around watching. This fluid is leaking on the property of a children's camp. If anyone knows where this is in Pennsylvania, please let me know and I'll update the post.

States acknowledge weaknesses in their oil and gas programs

2010-03-27T03:42:58Z

Last week I posted that Wyoming is working on new rules "to insure the protection" of drinking water. Last month I noted that Pennsylvania was working on new rules that Governor Rendell called "critical."

Today I read in an article that the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection stated that it does not have as good a capability to test drinking water for contamination as the U.S. EPA.

I am pleased to hear that some states are acknowledging their regulations and enforcement capabilities have not kept up with the expansion of the industry nor its technologies. It's time for regulation and enforcement of oil and gas production to be beefed up across the country, including federal regulation and oversight of hydraulic fracturing.

Thanks to EPA for investigating contaminated drinking water in Pennsylvania

2010-03-27T03:09:32Z

Last August I thanked the U.S. EPA for responding to community concerns about contaminated drinking water in Pavillion, Wyoming. You may remember the photo of the contamination in someone's water filter:

Now I want to thank EPA again, this time for investigating contaminated drinking water in Hickory, Pennsylvania. Initial testing of the Smitsky family well found acrylonitrile, a chemical that is used in hydraulic fracturing. Many people are grateful that the federal agency responsible for protecting drinking water is finally working to get to the bottom of contamination incidents. Here is a photo of the Smitsky's water; it used to be clean and drinkable:

Thanks to the Pavillion Area Concerned Citizens and Darrell Smitsky for the use of these photos.

Another World Water Day, another case of drinking water contamination in Pennsylvania

2010-03-23T04:58:39Z

I can't really add anything to the tragic words in today's Altoona Mirror. The Smith family in Clearville, Pennsylvania has lost cows, a horse and a dog that exhibited unexplainable neurological symptoms before they died. The Smiths suffer from dental problems and headaches. Their drinking water has high levels of arsenic that they believe are related to nearby drilling.

The state's Department of Environmental Protection says that it has gotten "a number of complaints in the past year, year and a half regarding possible contamination of private drinking water wells from natural gas well drilling," in the Clearville area. The Smiths live near wells that have stopped producing natural gas and are now being used to store natural gas underground. They are suing Spectra Energy.

Live on tape: natural gas waste dumped on a road in a residential area

2010-03-23T04:44:19Z

Last week I wrote about dumping of suspected used fracturing fluid in the middle of a residential neighborhood in Bee Branch, Arkansas. Company employees stated the substance in the tanker was "tree sap."

Here is a video of it: natural gas waste that has been dumped on a road in a residential area, causing health symptoms. Watch it here:

This is why we must close the loophole in our federal hazardous waste law that allows any toxic oil and gas waste to escape waste management standards with which other industries must comply.

Another state acknowledges the need to update oil and gas rules

2010-03-19T23:14:20Z

Last month I noted that Pennsylvania had acknowledged its need for better groundwater protections and was proposing new rules to strengthen its standards for gas well construction.

This month, the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission has proposed new rules for hydraulic fracturing "to insure the protection of fresh and potable (USDW) waters." Among other things, the Commission has proposed new rules that require operators to do more to identify where water sources are in relation to drilling, and request more information about the ingredients of hydraulic fracturing fluids. Comments are due on Monday and I look forward to seeing how people feel about these proposals.