Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lynn Wigglesworth on June 18, 2010 at 1:27pm

http://www.wetmtv.com/news/local/story/Gas-Drilling-Accident/Z0Al6a...

Permalink Reply by NANCY A THOMAS on June 18, 2010 at 3:02pm

2 hurt in accident at gas well
June 18, 2010, 1:32 pm

GAINES TOWNSHIP — Two workers were airlifted to Robert Packer hospital in Sayre this morning after a pipe coupling came apart at a gas well site along Lick Run Road in Gaines Township, Tioga County, Pa.


“We know that there was no fire or explosion,” said Tom Rathbun, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. “We do not believe there were any leaks of any water or natural gas.”


The site is operated by Ultra Resources, a Texas-based company with an office on East Avenue in Wellsboro. A call to that office has not been returned.


Officials noted it was an industrial accident and not likely a well-related incident at this time.


A DEP inspector is on site to inspect the well and ensure there was no environmental damage, Rathbun said.

Permalink Reply by Ann Ticopa on June 19, 2010 at 7:47am

Ultra still isn't commenting, but according to the Sun-Gazette, one of the men was hit/cut on the head and the other has broken ribs.

Since the gascos' first response to these incidents seems to be to circle the wagons, I'm curious where the line is drawn on control of a property when something happens. Understood that the gasco can probably exclude even the landowner from their drilling pad, access roads, etc. And in the Clearfield Co. blow-out, everyone had to be excluded for safety reasons.

But, say, there was something like a significant waste water spill. It could be to the landowner's benefit to have witnesses and a photographic record. It's a safe guess that the gasco wouldn't like it, but could/would they try to stop it? (This is assuming that the witnesses were at a sufficient distance not to interfere with their operations.)