Opponents of forced pooling in West Virginia prepare for potential legislation
Monday, January 4, 2016
Forced pooling — which allows drillers to extract natural gas from under the properties of landowners who refuse to sign leases or who cannot be located as long as surrounding landowners have signed leases — has been a hot topic is shale regions.
WV MetroNews reports that opponents of forced pooling in West Virginia have begun preparing efforts against forced pooling legislation for horizontal drilling. Forced pooling for vertical drilling in West Virginia is currently an option.
According to gas industry officials, forced pooling would allow West Virginia’s shale to be maximized, but opponents want to protect their options when it comes to their mineral rights.
Via: WV MetroNews > Opponents of forced pooling organizing ahead of start of legislative session
More about forced pooling in West Virginia:
- Forced pooling bill resurfaces in West Virginia Nov. 18, 2015
- West Virginia Farm Bureau endorses forced pooling bill Feb. 28, 2015
- Delegate Eldridge announces passage of forced pooling bill in House Energy Committee Feb. 20, 2015
- Forced pooling legislation sought in West Virginia Feb. 17, 2015
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.