Diversified regularly inspects its wells to reduce emissions
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
It’s as simple as it sounds. Diversified Energy regularly inspects its oil and gas wells to reduce methane leaks, which can be costly both environmentally and financially, according to Farm and Dairy.
Diversified is the largest owner of oil and gas wells in the country and a major player in the region’s oil and gas industry. It owns more than 50,000 wells, including more than 22,000 wells in Pennsylvania, 23,000 in West Virginia and 7,000 in Ohio, as well as wells in Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.
Incidentally, the company managed to inspect 100% of its Appalachian wells for leaks last year, and its planning to expand its efforts to inspect all of its 7,500 wells in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma for leaks.
“We’re doing it because it’s the right thing to do,” said Paul Espenan, senior vice president of environmental and safety for Diversified.
The company is also focused on reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Learn more: Farm and Dairy > Largest well owner in Appalachia charts path to net zero by looking for leaks
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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.