West Virginia governor signs bill, allows for transfer of drilling permits
Thursday, February 5, 2015
West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin signed legislation allowing the transfer of natural gas drilling permits Feb. 4.
WV MetroNews reports that this law saves companies from going through the 120-day permitting process with the Department of Environmental Protection all over again.
Now that the bill has been passed, Southwestern Energy Corporation, the company that bought 430,000 acres amd 256 natural gas wells from Chesapeake Energy in 2014, plans to bring two drilling rigs to West Virginia soon.
Gov. Tomblin stated that the passage of this bill secures opportunities for West Virginians and also allows for ongoing business operations.
Related:
- West Virginia drilling permit transfer bill awaits lawmakers’ decision
- Chesapeake sells Marcellus and Utica shale assets to Southwestern Energy Co.
Via: WV MetroNews > Southwestern president says company will start drilling in W. Va. soon
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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.