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PA Marcellus Drilling Personnel

By Greg Russell

According to this news release, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has concluded that untrained personnel and the failure to use proper well control procedures were the main causes of a natural gas well blowout in Clearfield County in June, leading to fines of more than $400,000.  Moreover, the DEP has told Marcellus drillers:

• A snubbing unit, which prevents pipes from ejecting uncontrollably from a well, may be used to clean out the composite frac plugs and sand during post-fracturing (post-frac) if coil tubing is not an option.

• A minimum of two pressure barriers should be in place during all post-frac cleanout operations.

• Any blowout preventer equipment should be tested immediately after its installation and before its use. Records of these tests should be kept on file at the well site or with the well site supervisor.

• A sign with DEP’s 24-hour emergency telephone number and local emergency response numbers, including 911 and the county communications center, should be posted prominently at each well site.

• At least one well site supervisor who has a current well control certification from a recognized institution should be on location during post-frac cleanout operations. These certifications should be in possession at all times.

• A remote-controlled, independently powered blowout preventer unit, which allows workers to control what’s happening on the rig at a safe distance, must be located a minimum of 100 feet from the well and operational during all post-frac cleanout operations.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, commenting on the same incident:  "The DEP, after being criticized for accommodating the natural-gas industry as the Marcellus Shale frenzy took hold, has adopted a more stern tone this year as criticism has mounted about the industry's practices."

Tags: Marcellus, Energy

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