Two weeks ago, CNX Resources Corp. shut down its Shaw 1G well in Westmoreland County, Pa., after high-pressure gas flooded nearby shallower wells. Following an early investigation, the company believes a problem with the casing in its compromised Utica Shale well was the likely root of the problem, according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

Based on the information available to CNX at this time, the problem at the Shaw 1G well was caused by a casing integrity issue that occurred at a depth below approximately 5,200 feet, allowing gas traveling up the wellbore to escape at that point, the company stated in its annual report.

When gas escaped from the wellbore at 5,200 feet, it made its way to nine vertical wells, drilled to a depth between 3,700 feet and 3,900 feet, according to the DEP. CNX then had to flares those wells to relieve the pressure as it worked to “kill” its problematic well.

Learn more: Pittsburgh Post Gazette > CNX reports suspected cause of Utica Shale well problem near Beaver Run Reservoir