Safety a priority with oil and gas drilling
Monday, July 7, 2014
With the shale oil and gas industry rapidly expanding comes the increased chance of workplace and public hazards.
In Columbiana County, The East Liverpool Review reports that steps are being taken to equip local safety forces to handle accidents, spills and fires at drilling locations and across the county.
At the head of the project is Tim Weigel, Columbiana County commissioner, along with Luke Newbold, Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency director. Training will be given in an effort to prepare police, fire and other safety forces for potential problems in the future.
One of the biggest concerns with drilling is protecting the public and promoting transportation safety. County safety officials are working to gather contact information from the oil and gas companies in the event that an accident occurs so that effects from the accident are minimized.
Related stories: Landowner and pipeline companies must interact for safety’s sake
Via: The East Liverpool Review > Commissioner working toward drilling safety
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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.