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Community Experiences w/Marcellus Shale Gas Extraction (MSGE)

Action Groups | Fractracker.org | News | Reports | Resources | Spills/Accidents | MSGE Home

CHEC has dedicated this page to allow citizens to share their experiences with the Marcellus Shale gas extraction process.


If you have stories, pictures, or concerns you would like to air on this site, please email us with the information & we will post them as promptly as possible: chec.pitt@gmail.com.

 


What's New?

  • CHEC's Marcellus Shale Gas Extraction Blog! - FracTracker.org
    Check out our new blog where you can share your experiences with Marcellus Shale gas extraction! The blog provides a forum to discuss the impacts you have seen or felt regarding natural gas drilling in this region, as well as share data through the site's data platform. This tool is an online information commons where you can access & upload all sorts of geographically-linked data. Think Google Maps for Marcellus Shale drilling. We will be hosting regional training sessions this summer on how to use FracTracker, but for now contact us with questions or to find out when & where the trainings will occur.
  • NOW talks with filmmaker Josh Fox about "Gasland", his Sundance award-winning documentary on the surprising consequences of natural gas drilling. Watch»
  • Split Estate — This award-winning documentary maps a tragedy in the making, as citizens in the path of a new drilling boom in the Rocky Mountain West struggle against the erosion of their civil liberties, their communities & their health. Learn more»
  • Oil & Gas Leases: A guide for Pennsylvania landowners — Provided by PA State Representative David Levdansky. Read»

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Groups working on MSGE & general gas extraction issues

CO | NY | PA | TX | WV | More to be added soon...

  

Colorado

New York

Pennsylvania

     
  Get Involved!  

We are constantly updating this page. Contact us if you would like to be listed as a group that's working on MSGE issues or as a resource.

To join current discussions of MSGE issues just email us with "Join MSGE Listserv" in the subject line.
 

Texas

West Virginia


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Academic Reports & Current Research

CHEC's Research

"Marcellus Shale extraction for natural gas supplies uses chemicals that are known to present a hazard to humans & aquatic receptors" — The documents below list these chemicals, address their toxicity, & give scholarly references for stated health effects. (Authors: Button R & Christen C.)

CHEC has no data on the concentration of these chemicals in the fracing gel or recovered fracing water; additionally, these tables do not address concentrations of toxic elements or heavy metals contained in the formation itself that may become soluble in the fracing process. More research is needed into the concentrations of elements from the formation that may become soluble in fracing water & disposed of in water bodies. More info»

External Research

  • Energy Boomtowns & Natural Gas: Implications for Marcellus Shale Local Governments & Rural Communities. PDF
  • Field Validation of Toxicity Tests to Evaluate the Potential for Beneficial Use of Produced Water: Conducted by the Department of Zoology, Oklahoma State University. PDF
  • Human Health Effects of Oil & Gas Development: Dr. Roxana Witter & her colleagues recently published a research study & a white paper on the human health effects of oil & gas development. While more research is needed to properly assess risk, Witter said volatile organic compounds churned into the atmosphere by the industry present risks that are well-known.
    White Paper (PDF) | Literature Review (PDF)
  • Impacts to USDWs by Hydraulic Fracturing: Study to Evaluate the Impacts to USDWs by Hydraulic Fracturing of Coalbed Methane Reservoirs. Report
  • Local Leaders' Perceptions of Energy Development in the Barnett Shale: Little attention has been directed toward understanding the social impacts associated immense unconventional energy development. In this article authors use key informant interview data collected in two Barnett Shale counties (Texas) to investigate the reported positive & negative outcomes of unconventional energy development. Read more»
  • Marcellus Shale Natural Gas: From the Ground to the Customer: League of Women Voters Study Guide. PDF
  • Natural Gases in Ground Water: 2007 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Scientific Investigations Report — As of 2005, methane gas was leaking into water wells near Tioga Junction, Tioga County, North Central PA. Household-supply well water tests found concentrations of dissolved methane as high as 92 mg/L, which posed a significant safety hazard. The USGS with the PADEP investigated this problem & identified the likely source to be gas leaking from the Tioga gas-storage field, where a depleted gas reservoir had been converted into an underground storage area for non-native gases. Read more»
  • PennState College of Agricultural Studies: Website offers extensive resources & presentations on topics related to Marcellus Shale Gas Extraction. Explore»

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Additional Resources

  • CHEC's Marcellus Shale Gas Extraction Blog! - FracTracker.org
    Check out our new blog where you can share your experiences with Marcellus Shale gas extraction! The blog provides a forum to discuss the impacts you have seen or felt regarding natural gas drilling in this region, as well as share data through the site's data platform. This tool is an online information commons where you can access & upload all sorts of geographically-linked data. Think Google Maps for Marcellus Shale drilling. We will be hosting regional training sessions this summer on how to use FracTracker, but for now contact us with questions or to find out when & where the trainings will occur.
  • Join CHEC's MSGE listserv to keep up to date! Email us: chec.pitt@gmail.com with "Join MSGE Listserv" in the subject line.
  • Eyes on Drilling: EPA tipline for citizens to report non-emergency suspicious activity related to oil & natural gas development. Call 1-877-919-4EPA (toll free), or email eyesondrilling@epa.gov.
    In the event of an emergency, such as a spill or release of hazardous material, including oil, to the environment, citizens are advised to call the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.
  • Drilling Concerns: Make Your Voice Heard. Learn more»
  • Drill-Right Texas handbook: Best Oil & Gas Development Practices for Texas. PDF
  • Four steps to consider before signing a gas lease: 1st person radio interview on WHRW-FM, Binghamton University. Learn more»
  • Hancock & The Marcellus Shale: This 40-page booklet was produced by a graduate seminar at Columbia University’s Urban Design Program, Spring 2009. PDF
  • Health Survey Results of Current & Former DISH/Clark, Texas Residents: On behalf
    of Earthworks’ Oil & Gas Accountability Project. PDF
  • Landman Report Card: A landman is an agent that represents oil & gas companies in negotiations with landowners. This site provides tools to learn about landmen & their companies through reading reviews submitted by users. Explore»
  • Natural Gas Pipeline Right-of-Ways: Understanding Landowner Rights & Options: FAQs on right-of-way issues written by the Penn State Cooperative Extension. Read»
  • NOW on PBS & filmmaker Josh Fox: They talk about "Gasland", Fox's Sundance award-winning documentary on the surprising consequences of natural gas drilling. Watch»
  • Oil & Gas Leases: A guide for Pennsylvania landowners — Provided by PA State Representative David Levdansky. Read»
  • Roundtable Discussion of Marcellus Issues: By representatives of organizations such as the Sierra Club, Organizations United for the Environment, & Responsible Drilling Alliance regarding the ups & downs of the gas drilling industry settling into our region. Listen»
  • Split Estate: This award-winning documentary maps a tragedy in the making, as citizens in the path of a new drilling boom in the Rocky Mountain West struggle against the erosion of their civil liberties, their communities & their health. Learn more»
  • Twin Tiers Sunday: Gas Drilling Views: Video Interviews with Anthony R. Ingraffea, Ph.D. P.E., Dwight C. Baum Professor of Engineering & Weiss Presidential Teaching Fellow, Cornell University. Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

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Related News*

Date & Source

Title

Link

  • 5/5/10, Delaware County Daily Times
State House passes Marcellus Shale bill Article
  • 4/28/10, USA Today
Natural gas supply, jobs & technique debate booming Article
  • 4/20/10, PA DEP Press Release
Pennsylvania DEP to Meet With Drilling Companies to Discuss Ways to Prevent Dangerous Gas Migration Situations, Safeguard Homes, Water Supplies Article
  • 4/19/10, PSU Cooperative Extension
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rules on Royalty Case Article
  • 3/28/10, New York Times
Finding Natural Gas, Safely Article
  • 3/26/10, Altoona Mirror
Locals hope to inform others of Clearville natural gas project Article
  • 3/17/10, City Weekly Press
Ninety people attend Sierra Club Marcellus Shale Debate Article
  • 3/15/10, Reuters
Consol Energy Buys Gas Assets From Dominion Article
  • 3/12/10, Daily Times
Lawmakers urge against Marcellus Shale permits Article
  • 3/12/10, Times Herald-Record
Sullivan County Legislature votes against gas drilling on county-owned land Article
  • 3/11/10, Daily American
Environmental organization calls for natural gas fee Article
  • 3/11/10, Brooklyn Eagle
Brooklyn Reps Tell Paterson: Protect Our Drinking Water! Article
  • 3/11/10, Press & Sun-Bulletin
W.Va. demands details on gas drillers' water use Article
  • 3/10/10, Op Ed News
Will The Natural Gas Boom Undercut Renewable Energy? Article
  • 3/9/10, WTAE Channel 4
Pitt Scientist Sounds Alarm On Natural Gas Drilling Article & Video
  • 3/2/10, Reuters
EPA asked to study gas-drilling technique Article
  • 3/2/10, Philly Burbs
DRBC still taking public comment on northern Pa. gas drilling Article
  • 3/1/10, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
W. Va. groups to sue Consol over mine discharge that killed fish Article
     

* Only selected, recent news coverage on Marcellus Shale drilling is listed in the table above. Contact us if you would like to read all of the news coverage we have archived on MSGE (especially anything that was written before 1/1/2010) by emailing chec.pitt@gmail.com or by calling 412-624-9379.

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Reported Citations, Spills, & Accidents Potentially Related to MSGE*

Date Incident Details Location Hazard(s) Amount Remediation Efforts Link
12/8/08 - 7/31/09 Atlas Energy Resources LLC charged with improper planning, maintenance, & dumping Several sites throughout Fayette, Greene & Washington Counties, PA Diesel fuel & production fluids Unknown The PA DEP fined Atlas $85,000 for the violations that occurred between Dec. 2008 & July 2009. Read
1/1/09 Methane gas leaked into drinking water, then home, following nearby natural gas hydraulic fracturing Dimock, Susquehanna County, PA Methane gas, fire Unknown In February, the PA DEP charged Cabot Oil & Gas with 2 violations that it says caused the contamination, theorizing that gas leaked from the well casing into fractures underground. Read
5/30/09 The impoundments draw significant amounts of water per day from nearby waterways. Such large volume diversions could impair the existing uses of the waterways. Cogan House Township & Mifflin Township, Lycoming County, PA Water withdrawal n/a DEP ordered Range Resources - Appalachia LLC & Chief Oil & Gas LLC to suspend a portion of their operations. The orders will remain in effect until the DEP has received & approved a water management plan from both companies, & each firm has obtained the necessary permits. Read
6/5/09 A leaking waste water pipe from a Range Resources Marcellus shale gas well drilled in polluted water, killing fish, salamanders, crayfish & aquatic insect life. Cross Creek Lake, Washington County, PA Returned frac fluid, waste water discharge Unknown DEP fined Range Resources as of January 2010. Read
9/1/09 A toxic algae bloom resulted in a massive fish kill (complete mussel kill). Favorable algae growth conditions were caused by high TDS levels, dry weather & water withdrawals for fracturing operations. Along 43 miles of Dunkard Creek (Along WV & PA border) Golden algae Unknown Lower chlorides & TDS levels. Consol Energy is now allowed to pump out water from its Blackville No. 2 mine on specific conditions issued by the WV DEP. Read
9/24/09 Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. experienced 3 separate spills in less than 1 week, which polluted Stevens Creek & a nearby wetland. Heitsman well in Dimock Township, PA Water/fluid mixture, paraffinic solvent & poly-saccharide 8,000 gallons The DEP’s order stopped all hydro fracking operations at each site throughout the county. Cabot has since submitted the necessary forms according to DEP specifications, & resumed operations. Read
10/6/09 A Range Resources temporary above-ground water transfer line connection failed. Minnows, crawfish & frogs died / were impaired. Brush Run Creek, Hopewell Township, Pa Partially recycled flowback & fresh water, chlorides 250 barrels (10,500 gallons) PA DEP officials inspected about 4/10 of a mile of Brush Run near the spill. Fines for this incident have not yet been published,
but should be announced in Spring 2010.
 
2/1/10 Proper ownership information missing, flow-back fluids discharging into tributary 3 natural gas wells, Troy Township, Bradford County, PA Flow-back fluids Unknown Fortuna Energy Inc. promptly placed a pump into the sediment basin to pump the fluids back into tanks & hired a consultant to conduct appropriate sampling. PA DEP has fined the company $3,500 for the violations. Read
3/15/10 (Approx) Fluid leak into the ground water caused by a hole in the pit liner Dimock, Susquehanna County, PA Black drilling liquid Unknown PA DEP issued a notice of violation to Cabot Oil & Gas Read
3/15/10 A substance used in the natural gas drilling process is discoloring & distorting the texture of spring water runoff. Cummings Township, PA Airfoam HD Unknown Representatives of PA General Energy, w/whom DEP members have been communicating, are investigating the problem. Read
3/21/10 Range Resources: Broken pipe & flushing of water in field Hickory, PA (Caldwell St.) Water (unknown components) Unknown PA DEP investigating. Incident reported to researchers by witness. n/a
3/26/10 Mud overflowed Anadarko Corp. well pad Sproul State Forest, PA Mud used as a cooling agent 8,000 - 12,000 gallons A contractor has begun cleanup. Read
3/31/10 Atlas Energy gas well fire (natural gas storage tank or liner) Hopewell Township, PA Fire, smoke n/a Emergency personnel let the fire burn itself out. Investigation being conducted. Video
4/15/10 Cabot Oil & Gas Corp violated PA's Clean Streams Law & the Oil & Gas Act by failing to fix defective cement & well casings on certain wells & to prevent the unpermitted natural gas discharge into groundwater. Dimock, PA Migrating natural gas Unknown Cabot must plug 3 wells within 40 days & install permanent treatment systems in affected homes within 30 days. PA DEP suspending its review of Cabot's permit applications for new drilling activities statewide until the order is fulfilled. Cabot barred from drilling new wells for at least 1 year in the area. Read
4/29/10 Stallion Oilfield Services operated a transfer station without a permit last year. Old Lycoming Township, Lycoming County, PA n/a n/a PA DEP fined the company $6,500. Read
4/29/10 Residents report strong gas odors Washington & Greene Counties, PA Unknown Unknown PA DEP investigating & taking air samples. Any entity that's found to be operating a source of odors may be fined up to $25,000 under the Air Pollution Control Act. Read
5/4/10 Chief Oil & Gas withdrew water from the Casselman River without a permit. Water-hauling trucks caused boat dock damage. Jefferson Township, PA n/a n/a PA DEP cited the company & will meet with Chief over the permitting confusion. Chief has pledged to repair the boat dock. Read

This list of citations, spills, & accidents potentially related to Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction is not comprehensive & is constantly being updated. If you would like to add to this list, please send CHEC an email (chec.pitt@gmail.com) with the details.


CHEC does not endorse any products or services on the websites listed on this page. Links are for informational purposes only.

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Page last updated:
April 29, 2011