Marcellus Shale - Gas Wells

September 13, 2010

Drilling suspected in Bradford County river bubbles

DEP secretary says samples being tested. Methane levels found at six properties.

By Matt Hughes mhughes@timesleader.com
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The state Department of Environmental Protection suspects that bubbles of methane gas that appeared in the Susquehanna River in Bradford County last week resulted from natural gas drilling, DEP Secretary John Hanger said Tuesday.

DEP and Chesapeake Energy teams took samples throughout the weekend of the gas bubbles, which were first discovered Thursday in the North Branch of the Susquehanna.

Teams took samples in the area between two islands in the river and from its banks near the point where state Route 187 turns away from the river in Sugar Run, Bradford County.

Though advanced analysis of the samples collected will not be available for several days, Hanger said it seems likely that gas is emanating from one of several nearby natural gas drilling sites, all of which are operated by Chesapeake Energy Inc.

Chesapeake spokesman Brian Grove said in a statement released Tuesday that the company is investigating three wells connected to its Welles drilling pad as potential sources of the methane migration.

“Based on our field screenings, there is no immediate threat to public safety or the environment,” Grove added.

Hanger said DEP required Chesapeake to visit 26 homes near the affected area to measure methane in both free gas and well water. Elevated levels of methane were found at six properties, Hanger said.

At DEP’s requirement, methane monitors have been installed at all six properties and vents to prevent methane buildup in wells have been installed at five. Chesapeake also offered a temporary supply of drinking water to the property owners, three of whom accepted the offer.

Hanger said hydraulic fracturing has not yet taken place at any of the wells drilled by Chesapeake in the vicinity, and it should be possible to stem the methane migration.

“They can take a number of steps to repair the wells,” Hanger said. “If they can’t be repaired, we can order that they be plugged.”

Hanger said methane contamination was also discovered in several drinking water wells and in a beaver pond in Bradford County earlier in the summer, and the flow of methane was successfully cut off in that case.

That contamination originated from natural gas drilling, though from a different source, Hanger said.

Hanger said the gas does not pose a danger to wildlife and the river has not suffered environmental damage from the gas migration.

“The danger is that if it gets into well water and infuses the well water, or if it gets into a home, then it can explode,” Hanger said.

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