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Gas Well Study, 2008    

This is a report on our examination of a number of gas wells in Putnam and Kanawha counties all operated by the same company.

The Home Page for the 2011 Study

Four Wells in the Kanawha State Forest

Three Wells with Surface Contamination

Three Well with Inadequate Secondary Containment

A Vertical Marcellus Well

Condensate Tank Overflow

The Home Page for the 2010 Study

The Home Page for the 2009 Study

Putnam County
Poca River Road
583
731
1492
595
615
743
775
746
739

Spanish Oak Road
232
Putnam B-85

Long Road
298

Kanawha County
Dry Branch

5999
1266

Harmon's Creek
2026
5714

Environmental Assessment
Putnam County
1492 & 731

Kanawha County
2026

5714

The Home Page for the 2008 Study

Putnam County
Long Road Group
1288
1215
1178
1299
702
No API #1
No API #2
No API #3
1155
No API #4
No API #5

River Road Group
735
601
570

King Cemetery Group
1200
274
404

Kanawha County
2026
5714

47-079-00735

Amongst the gas wells along North and South Pocatalico River Roads is this on North River Road.

This well is close to but not readily visible from North River Road.

The short access road between the state road and the well needs to be surfaced -- it's badly rutted -- and a gate needs to be installed.

There were a number of problems here. The first thing we saw was the large amount of trash, some of which is the company's. The API number wasn't clearly written for the county and seems to be 049 instead of 079. Since we know of another well with the same problem, on the same kind of tag, we believe that the county number is wrong and the tag should be replaced.

Metal plates cover a large void at the wellhead. The plates need to be taken away and the void filled with rock and/or soil.

The tank doesn't have the required secondary containment dike and because the site is close to the Pocatalico river this may be a federal SPCC violation in addition to not being in compliance with state regulations.

   

The well access road goes up a steep rise from North River Road.

   
 

The deeply rutted well access road is short. River Road is visible in the background and the river is nearby.

This access road should be graveled.

   
  This older well site had problems with vegetation in spots.
   
  There is a large void under these steel plates at the wellhead. The void should be filled with rock and dirt for safety and health reasons. The plates are loose and have a gap which is a safety concern. The void holds water and is a mosquito breeding spot.
   
  There was a large amount of trash strewn about the site. Some of the trash is obviously Company cast offs such as the pipe in the foreground the steel steps from a former, larger tank.
   
  Another photograph showing trash strewn about the site.
   
  Tank without required secondary containment. This well isn't in compliance with state regulations. Because of its nearness to the river, it might also be violating federal SPCC regulations.

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