Hydraulic Fracturing; an environmental issue

There is widespread discussion about hydraulic fracturing and the impact such mining has on the environment – from water contamination by gas and oil to chemical contamination of aquifers and land.

Prior articles explained the extensive reasoning the Nebraskan Panhandle is an optimum area to drill for oil and natural gas without the typical worries people have with hydraulic fracturing.

Summarizing the past two articles; the area sits on so many rock formations that are tightly compacted it makes drilling less likely to puncture an aquifer or contaminate drinking water. It makes both types of fracturing, horizontal and vertical, safer in this area.

The other key issue talked about with hydraulic fracturing is use of chemicals while drilling and the possibility of drinking water and land contamination. This possible especially since this area’s agriculture is already suffering from a drought.

According to Stan Belieu deputy director of the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Sidney Office there are “proposed regulations that have passed the Old and Gas Commission (Nebraska’s) and our public hearings waiting to be signed by the Governor” that deal with issues concerning chemicals used by operating companies.

“They will require disclosure of chemicals used” while drilling is performed, Belieu said, “and also require the casing be tested before tests can be done to ensure competency in the casing. The mechanical integrity test it’s called on both that and the work strings that the actual frac chemicals go down. That is how we are ensuring it stays where it is.”

Belieu said there haven’t been changes in specific chemicals used in this mining process, but that he has noted companies are leaning more toward environmentally safe chemicals.

The forced use of these safe chemicals has not been issued at a state level yet, but Belieu said, “it’s encouraged.

“And so it’s the service companies the providers that provide those companies with the chemicals looking to greener chemicals, chemicals that break down easier and don’t exist as long naturally.”

Regarding contaminations of the land surrounding the wells, Belieu said “the surface casing and surface casing cement are run and set below any usable drinking water.”

He said the casing has to be cemented in place, and it is the principal safety regulation the Oil and Gas Commission requires of every operating company when drilling in Nebraska.

“That is on all wells not just the hydraulically fractured wells, to ensure there can’t be any contamination. Looking at the casings and ensuring that they are proper and ensuring they have the engineering designs that are going to protect drinking water.”

How do they know these casings are being installed and safety protocol is being followed, through both the permit filed as well as “inspections based upon the permit filed,” Belieu said.

“They are issued a permit and we are looking at the casing and the designs based upon the permit they have. And also we will go out and look at things and make sure things are as they are supposed to be. Although, most of the companies and service companies’ safety programs are pretty expensive now.”

Case in point is the new well that has been drilled, vertically as well as horizontally, out on Road 83.

Shortly after the drilling was finished Belieu went out and visited the site to do an inspection of sorts.

If state regulations are not being followed Belieu said the Oil and Gas Commission would then step in.

“We have the ability to do the inspections. We have the ability to review the operation to make sure the construction guidelines are being met, on both the surface and subsurface. We have the ability to look at those. So if there is an issue we have the ability to say you can’t do this the way you are doing it.”

Belieu said the operating company that has drilled the new wells in Cheyenne County is a new company to the state, but through talk between the operators and the Oil and Gas Commission he said he feels they are dedicated to safety issues that even the landowners may have.

Belieu said he personally has all the confidence in the world that this company would continue its commitment to safety while in our area.

“Based upon the performance we have seen so far, I feel very good about the job they are doing.”

To be continued . . .