Last week we started a new blog segment. Today is the second post for Frac or Fiction. This new section will focus on debunking myths and confirming facts about the natural gas and oil industry.
Despite what you may have seen or heard frac’ing DOES NOT cause tap water to be lit on fire.
Methane is prevalent in water sources across the United States. Because we operate heavily out of Susquehanna County, PA we hear many stories about Dimock’s water plagued with Methane.
Residents have always been aware of the “burning creek” and water with bubbles in the area well before any drilling or frac’ing was occuring near the town.
Frac’ing takes place a mile or more below the earth’s surface. To eliminate contamination, the area drilled is surrounded by multiple layers of steel encased in cement to seal any activities away from the fresh water.
The most popular “faucet fire” can be seen in the movie Gasland, but the director left a few vital details out.
Yes, the landowner in the film did light his tap water on fire.
No, the cause for the flames was notfrac’ing.
The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which tested the land owner’s water in 2008, said there were “no indications of oil & gas related impacts to water well.”
The study showed that the methane was “biogenic” in nature, meaning it was naturally occurring; leading to the conclusion that his water well was drilled into a natural gas pocket.
Frac’ing is managed thoroughly during every step of the process. The oil and natural gas industry is regulated by the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and many more many other environmental regulations to ensure that water will not be affected.
Don’t let these rumors fool you…even the residents of Dimock will tell you:
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