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Permalink Reply by dbob on January 7, 2012 at 4:55

Thanks Sesport - There is some obvious slant in the report, and some of the photos are either captioned in a manner that is intentionally misleading, or done by someone who doesn't know what they are looking at.  

That said, to the public, perception is reality, and the perception of this report is pretty negative.

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Permalink Reply by dbob on January 7, 2012 at 5:31

No problem -

Photo, Page 1 - spill or leak under a frac tank - we don't know that this material migrated off site, or wasn't cleaned up by the operator

Photo, Page 2 - leaking reserve pit with improper lining.  It is too small to be a reserve pit - it might have been a flare pit.  Also, can't tell that it is leaking from the photo.  

Photo Page 3 - Oil field waste discharging from a pad -it obviously taken during a wet period - that looks like stormwater discharge

Photo Page 3 - Drilling fluids running off a well pad - again - looks like water, and no drilling in the background

Photo Page 3 - Pipe discharging from a well pad - obviously a frac water transfer line, most likely freshwater, possibly contributing to erosion in the ditch, but not discharging some unknown mysterious fluid

Photo 6 "Drilling fluids" is probably water...

more later

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Permalink Reply by Bradley McWilliams on January 9, 2012 at 16:13

I looked very quickly through this.  Some of the things that jump out at me are that several of the companies listed and photographed are no longer here, or no longer in business. This tells us that the photos are older, and that several of the problems shown have been replaced with smarter ways of doing things. It is very hard to tell with the close up photos what you are really looking at. (5 gallons of stuff up close looks like it covers acres) One of the most glaring assumptions taken in the series of photos is the red vacuum truck "discharging reserve pit waste water" onto a road. Many times trucks are used to spread pond water on roads for dust control, but not pit water. (I quite often see turtles and snakes living in this "toxic" water)

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Permalink Reply by Bradley McWilliams on January 10, 2012 at 3:29

Pit water is from the reserve pit, where as pond water is fresh water from a pond, either one built by the land owner, or by the gas company to capture water for future fracs.

 

I will try to go over the co's no longer here later today.

 

Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Bradley McWilliams on January 10, 2012 at 17:37

Here is a little info for you.  In reference to the companies no longer here, most of them have moved out, as opposed to no longer in business.  Here some of them I have noticed. And, yes, there are some companies that have lost business from safety, environmental, or ethical infractions.

Page 2, correct pit liner photo, is of Frac Tech equipment.  They pulled out of this area around two years ago.

Page 6, unpermitted mud pit. I believe that is the former Complete Vacuum yard.  They have been gone from this area over two years. The unpermitted mud pit appears to be one brought in from a job that is not completely empty.

Page 8, unpermitted pit, I believe is Complete again.

Pages 10, 11.  On the long list, I counted 10 outfits no longer here.

It's not that any of these photos are to be excused, but several of them don't show the whole picture. As time has gone by here, you can see a real difference in attitudes toward these issues.  Most of these pictures would be really hard to replicate today. It's so easy for a group that is out to empower the downtrodden to cast dispersion on activities that they don't have any appreciation or understanding of. A lot of the photos could well show oversight, or accidents, incomplete operations, or down right misrepresentations, yet they can spin the photos to fit their goals.  I can't help but notice that all of these enpowered folks are quick to gripe and complain, but not of them offers to pick up a shovel and help with the situation. No, it's not their job or responsibility, but it seems that if they were really concerned, why don't I see them out here doing whatever they may be able to do? I find that several ravines and roadside ditches up here has been used as a garbage dump for years, so where are all of the folks troubled by the environmental problems at? They could organize clean ups, educate the public, and make some real and needed difference. But instead, they dig up 4 year old photos and stir the pot and point the lime light right at themselves. I challange any of these groups to do that...

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Permalink Reply by Polly Ann Foote on January 8, 2012 at 9:02

Thank you for posting this report. I found the lack of compliance by  most of the companies to be appalling, and yet I was not surprised.  I was glad to read that anyone who notices a violation can report it and request an inspection.  That means that  landowners  can monitor any well sites on their property.

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