Delayed drilling application hearing now cancelled
Saturday, September 6, 2014
The Beaver County Times reports that Hilcorp Energy is no longer seeking to drill for natural gas in Pennsylvania’s Lawrence and Mercer Counties.
Hilcorp was supposed to have a hearing with the Department of Environmental Protection about the well spacing order. The hearing had been rescheduled three times, with the newest date slated for Oct. 27-28. Now it will not take place at all. In addition, Hilcorp will not apply for a forced pooling order.
From The Beaver County Times:
“The withdrawal means Hilcorp’s potential application for a forced pooling order also won’t take place. A forced pooling order would have compelled property owners to sign leases with the company if enough other landowners had established leases.”
Via: The Beaver County Times > Hilcorp withdraws well spacing application
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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.