Pa. DEP fines Sunoco Mariner East 2 again
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection fined Energy Transfer LP’s Sunoco Pipeline unit $355,636 for spilling drilling fluid during the construction of its Mariner East 2 natural gas liquids pipeline, according to Reuters.
The latest fine for violations in 2018 and 2019 was just the most recent in a series of sanctions against the company for spills and other violations of its construction permits — with the biggest for $12.6 million in 2018.
Since May 2017, Pennsylvania has issued 113 notices of violation to Mariner East, mostly for drilling fluid spills, including 13 so far in 2020.
Learn more: Reuters > Pennsylvania fines Sunoco Mariner East 2 NGL pipe for spills again
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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.