Comment

Comment by Robin Fehrenbach Scala on April 2, 2010 at 6:04am

This is a perfect example of why the lease language is so important. When these leases were signed, they were most likely boilerplate leases used by the company that give no protections to the landowner.

No one signs those anymore. At least if they stop to think before putting pen to paper.

In the case of Dimock, it would have been good for EVERYONE if water testing had been done before to establish a baseline, then it would be possible to know exactly what extent was due to natural methane movement.

Now Cabot has no choice but to deal with the problem (which may or may not totally be their fault). I am not taking sides with Cabot here, just pointing out that they would have a better chance if they had pre-drilling water tests. It has become the norm to test all wells within a certain area before drilling now, so cases like this will become LESS COMMON.

Comment by CJK on April 1, 2010 at 4:04pm

Gas company plans to fix methane in water in Dimock (article)
http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/gas-company-plans-to-fix-methane-in-water-in-dimock-1.711611
"Cabot Oil and Gas Corp. submitted the plans to the Department of Environmental Protection late Wednesday - the deadline set by the department in November when it determined improper casing and excessive pressure in Cabot's gas wells were to blame for the high levels of methane in drinking water in Dimock Twp."

Comment by CJK on April 1, 2010 at 2:43pm

The pressure exerted while fracing opens up different paths for the methane, one of which could be a well. How far down do they claim they are casing the wells? If it is just below the aquifer, as I understand it, when they are drilling they create alot of pressure and this pressure releases pockets of methane that make their way into the aquifer and then seek another exit path which can be a well.

Comment by CJK on April 1, 2010 at 2:11pm

What everyone also has to remember is that much of the work being done by the industry is actually being done by subcontractors. These subcontractors, because they are independent contractors, are not necessarily doing the work up to the standards of the gas company. Hence mistakes happen more often and more frequently.

Comment by John Reed on April 1, 2010 at 2:07pm

I guess I am confused. I am under the impression that the methane is from shallower shales that were not even fracked. The Marcellus in that area is at a depth of 6-7 thousand feet and in some areas even deeper. I highly doubt the methan is a direct result of hydro fracking. Much more likely from a shallower shale that was not even fracked.

Comment by CJK on April 1, 2010 at 1:48pm

Guess Dimock is a bigger issue than many of you think. The Governor showed up there today. Heard Cabot was busy cleaning up everything.
With regards to not poisoning our water, what they fail to do to safeguard it, in my eyes is intentional, even though it is arguable. I have a picture of one of the fracking farms where the frac water was being transported via pipeline and they had one of the joints wrapped in saran wrap like material to prevent leakage, it wasn't working.
I have heard that the DImock wells that were contaminated with methane are having methane removers placed in their homes to remediate the damage caused by Cabot. I guess there was someone who believed that the fracking of the well resulted in the methane release. Yes fracking can and will continue to cause methane to seek a path of least resistance and our wells are the perfect path for this. You will be seeing more and more of this.

Comment by John Reed on April 1, 2010 at 5:22am

Yes, I'm in the Columbia County Land Owners Coalition.

Comment by William Ladd on April 1, 2010 at 4:39am

At a farm just north of Little Marsh there is a gas well in a swampy area that bubbled thru water. An attempt was made to separate the water from the gas so it could be used to provide gas for the house.

I have no idea when that well was drilled but apparently there was not enough gas there to be piped away for sale. But it was never sealed off. It was still bubbling away about 1972.

Here is how they separated the gas from the water. A barrel was placed near the well. The gas and water was piped into that barrel. Another plastic pipe was attached to the top most part of that barrel and was laid out to the house. The water collected in the bottom of the barrel and when it reached a certain level it was forced out thru another outlet by the gas pressure that collected in the top of the barrel.

The biggest problem was that sometimes water vapor collected in the pipe to the house and froze. That could have been prevented if that particular section had been buried in the ground like the rest of the pipe was. If I recall correctly, there was enough gas to heat the house in fine shape and for cooking.

My sister and brother in law lived there for a few years until the moved to Florida in june of 1972 just ahead of the hurricane Agness, I believe it was.

Comment by Robin Fehrenbach Scala on April 1, 2010 at 4:05am

John,
You seem like a reasonable person. I also do not believe that the business intentionally allows poisons into the water. I know they don't.

In regard to Dimock, which so many people love to bring up, the problem (if there was much of one) was not caused by the frac process at all. This seems to escape most people. Methane in drinking water is not caused by a frac, it is another issue altogether.

The landman, however, is the person who will lie more often than not. In addition, I have found that they are not just lying, but are not educated in PA law and end up telling people Texas law. And that is just apples compared to oranges.

I hope you get a decent lease, John, and you would be best served to get into a landowners group where there is protection in numbers. The best leases have come out of the groups.

Comment by John Reed on April 1, 2010 at 2:12am

I agree, they mislead and even lie. I do not however, believe they would intentionally and routinely allow posions to make their way into water aquifiers and potentially open themselves up to the incredible consequences if they were found guilty. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying it never happened or will never happen again. I think these instances are extremely few and far between. They should be held accountable and continue to work towards new ways to limit these instances. When you take your trip to TX and WV I beleive you will find much more positive than negative.

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