of petroleum. increased methane One individual reported phone/email ‘numerous’ methane contamination and complaints including soapy unpleasant odour, which was water, diesel odours, iron confirmed by a private and sulfur in wells, rashes consultant. from showering, gassy taste, murky water. One report of a miner burned by a fluid, possibly HCl from HF activities that infiltrated a mineshaft. Investigation Gas discharges at the surface, LEAF v EPA investigation None reported All complaints investigated by results methane and hydrogen sulfide concluded that was no state agency by testing for (H2S) contamination, and evidence that hydraulic potential contaminants and related explosion incidents fracturing had contributed to comparing with baseline values. predate CSG production. well contamination, but instead Soap contamination that historical records of water Two-thirds of wells tested as of acknowledged, but it persists for quality in the region include 1998 showed biogenic methane only a short time. sudden onset of iron staining, that could not be from the Regional drought conditions methane contamination, and Fruitland coal. likely contributed to water loss. presence of foul odoured, white Mitigation of old, improperly or red-brown, stringy or abandoned wells decreased gelatinous material arising from methane in 27% of wells natural activity of iron-reducing sampled. bacteria. Case 2: EPA testing no petroleum products in individual’s well. Case 3: Consistent with historic sudden of contamination due to natural processes in the aquifer. Conclusions Methane/hydrogen sulfide Only three cases of Most complaints stem from The state of Virginia concluded contamination is mainly contamination reported in spite CSG and wells occupying that none of the complaints
of petroleum. One individual reported methane contamination and unpleasant odour, which was confirmed by a private consultant. increased methane ‘numerous’ phone/email complaints including soapy water, diesel odours, iron and sulfur in wells, rashes from showering, gassy taste, murky water. One report of a miner burned by a fluid, possibly HCl from HF activities that infiltrated a mineshaft. Investigation results Gas discharges at the surface, methane and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) contamination, and related explosion incidents predate CSG production. Two-thirds of wells tested as of 1998 showed biogenic methane that could not be from the Fruitland coal. Mitigation of old, improperly abandoned wells decreased methane in 27% of wells sampled. LEAF v EPA investigation concluded that was no evidence that hydraulic fracturing had contributed to well contamination, but instead that historical records of water quality in the region include sudden onset of iron staining, methane contamination, and presence of foul odoured, white or red-brown, stringy or gelatinous material arising from natural activity of iron-reducing bacteria. Case 2: EPA testing no petroleum products in individual’s well. Case 3: Consistent with historic sudden of contamination due to natural processes in the aquifer. None reported All complaints investigated by state agency by testing for potential contaminants and comparing with baseline values. Soap contamination acknowledged, but it persists for only a short time. Regional drought conditions likely contributed to water loss. Conclusions Methane/hydrogen sulfide contamination is mainly Only three cases of contamination reported in spite Most complaints stem from CSG and wells occupying The state of Virginia concluded that none of the complaints