Proper
secondary containment for above ground storage tanks of condensate,
the liquid produced along with natural gas, is essential.
Condensate is brine, crude petroleum, or a mixture of both
and is hazardous to the environment. State (and in some cases
federal) law requires secondary containment at all sites with
storage tanks. Unfortunately, proper secondary containment
is infrequently found in the field.
We
revisted three sites which were part of an early 2009 complaint
to the West Virginia Office of Oil and Gas. The sites still
don't have proper secondary containment.
47-079-00570
These
photos were taken in 2008.
This
well is sited between Poca River Road and the Pocatalico
River. The River is 47 feet downslope from the well's
condensate storage tank.
The
inadequate secondary containment is no more than 8 inches
high on the river side. Any spill or overflow would
go directly into the River.
47-079-00735
This
well site is on the north side of the Pocatalico River.
There is no secondary containment for the condensate
storage tank. This photo was taken in 2008.
47-079-00583
These
photos were taken in 2009.
This
well is sited between Poca River Road and the Pocatalico
River. A permanent stream passes within feet of the
100 barrel condensate storage tank.
The
tank, because it is on a flood plain, is supposed to
be firmly tethered. In this instance, the tethers hang
loose, unattached.
Note
the moat-type secondary containment that is partially
filled with water. The inadequate containment is lowest
on the permanent stream side.
