The “stuff” killed the cows.
The “stuff” killed the cows.
That’s Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator’s assessment of what contributed to the deaths of 17 cows in late April near a natural gas drilling location south of Spring Ridge.
Until now, none of the state agencies involved in the ongoing inquiry into the incident has stated what caused the cattle to drop dead in Skipper Williams Jr.’s pasture on state Highway 169.
The deaths were reported at some point after a liquid leaked from the well, which was in the completion process, and pooled into a low area accessible to the cows. The substance later was determined to contain elevated chlorides, oil, grease and some organic compounds.
No state agency took responsibility for testing the animals.
Today, Prator gathered representatives of his and the Caddo district attorney’s offices, state police and the state Environmental Quality, Natural Resources and Agriculture and Forestry departments in one room to review all the reports connected to the incident.
“We went over for an hour exactly what everybody’s response was, and everybody’s response and cooperation was really good,” the sheriff said. “We responded to the scene well. When everyone found out about it we all worked together very well.
“We have determined — although no one agency except me will say this — by piecing everything together, there was a spill from the site that ran off of the site and that was ingested by the cows and that’s what caused the cows to die.”
The site has been cleaned, and the soil and water have been tested. They do not pose a health risk to the public, Prator said.
“So I’m staying the stuff killed the cows.”
Still undetermined is whether the spill was reported and, if so, whether it was reported in a timely manner. “We contend it should have been reported. And (the) timeliness of it we’re investigating,” Prator said.
Chesapeake Energy Corp., which owns the well, and its services contractor, Schlumberger, have “strict policies” concerning site spills.
“But there are employees (who) did not follow the policy, it appears,” Prator said. Chesapeake Energy is being contacted by The Times for comment.
State police, the sheriff’s office and Environmental Quality still looking into that. Findings of the sheriff’s office and state police will be turned over to Caddo District Attorney Charles Scott for review. Environmental Quality will move its report through its channels.
“I am extremely serious when I say this better not happen again,” Prator said. “As fast as that phone can dial, we better get a call. This is unacceptable to us.
“If at (the) time it happened if proper notification had been made, there are chances cows would still be alive right now,” the sheriff said. “In this case, this was cows, how unfortunate. But what if it was children? The companies are working with us and understand the dangers.”
That’s Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator’s assessment of what contributed to the deaths of 17 cows in late April near a natural gas drilling location south of Spring Ridge.
Until now, none of the state agencies involved in the ongoing inquiry into the incident has stated what caused the cattle to drop dead in Skipper Williams Jr.’s pasture on state Highway 169.
The deaths were reported at some point after a liquid leaked from the well, which was in the completion process, and pooled into a low area accessible to the cows. The substance later was determined to contain elevated chlorides, oil, grease and some organic compounds.
No state agency took responsibility for testing the animals.
Today, Prator gathered representatives of his and the Caddo district attorney’s offices, state police and the state Environmental Quality, Natural Resources and Agriculture and Forestry departments in one room to review all the reports connected to the incident.
“We went over for an hour exactly what everybody’s response was, and everybody’s response and cooperation was really good,” the sheriff said. “We responded to the scene well. When everyone found out about it we all worked together very well.
“We have determined — although no one agency except me will say this — by piecing everything together, there was a spill from the site that ran off of the site and that was ingested by the cows and that’s what caused the cows to die.”
The site has been cleaned, and the soil and water have been tested. They do not pose a health risk to the public, Prator said.
“So I’m staying the stuff killed the cows.”
Still undetermined is whether the spill was reported and, if so, whether it was reported in a timely manner. “We contend it should have been reported. And (the) timeliness of it we’re investigating,” Prator said.
Chesapeake Energy Corp., which owns the well, and its services contractor, Schlumberger, have “strict policies” concerning site spills.
“But there are employees (who) did not follow the policy, it appears,” Prator said. Chesapeake Energy is being contacted by The Times for comment.
State police, the sheriff’s office and Environmental Quality still looking into that. Findings of the sheriff’s office and state police will be turned over to Caddo District Attorney Charles Scott for review. Environmental Quality will move its report through its channels.
“I am extremely serious when I say this better not happen again,” Prator said. “As fast as that phone can dial, we better get a call. This is unacceptable to us.
“If at (the) time it happened if proper notification had been made, there are chances cows would still be alive right now,” the sheriff said. “In this case, this was cows, how unfortunate. But what if it was children? The companies are working with us and understand the dangers.”
Views: 248
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by NA on
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KB,
Are you serious?
Also I wonder if that is included on the existing bill they send Chesapeake for deputies providing security on locations.
I say pay the man for the cows and move on.
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Permalink Reply by sesport on
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YIKES! Can Prator get zapped for giving an opinion about something outside of his expertise, the medical diagnosis/opinion about the cause of the cows' deaths? When I'm OTJ, I don't dare make hints, suggestions, recommendations, reder opinions about medical conditions, causes, findings.
thanks baron - :0)
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Permalink Reply by sesport on
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Thanks, Baron, for that complete citation.
As for the Hindu, as well a Buddhist & some other eastern religions, they believe that animals are reincarnations of ancestors, which is why they hold them in high esteem. The detrimental effect - animals in the worst health will not be euthanized, are left to linger & suffer on the streets until they expire naturally, sometimes many days later.
As for cattle-gate, sounds like criminal charges are being sought? Against who, the guys at ground zero? I imagine those guys already no longer have their jobs, but if they do and criminal charges are filed against them, and the allegations are proven true, then they'll no longer have their jobs, will have difficulty getting jobs afterward if sentenced, and the folks who were saying "hurry, hurry, hurry" ... well, they've moved on.
IMMVHO, the Romans are going to feed the "hourly wage slaves" to the lions to appease the masses.
Interesting reading the thoughts on this, best all - sesport :0)
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Permalink Reply by Jerad Doty on -
I didn't mean to offend anyone but sometimes companies and their subcontractors do get blamed for stuff and it turns out to be very expensive that is all I was getting at. I didn't mean to come off as insensitive. I made a poor judgement call
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Permalink Reply by Dorcheated A1 on
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Hey Jerad,
It's ok, I know those girls. They don't take much stuff off anybody so don't feel bad. They ride my butt all the time. Once they get to know you, and get a feel for you, they'll treat you like a brother. So hang in there.
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Permalink Reply by Cathaus on
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Jerad, you are a big guy for admitting your mistake. Now go and kiss a cow on the lips and all will be forgiven!!
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Permalink Reply by Connell on
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Reporting a hazardous spill is a federal law. The person who received or uses the hazardous material on the site is usually responsible for having a reporting system and training their employees what to do when they detect a spill of any quantity. The reporting party notifies the Emergency Response Team Leader and he or she makes to call according to protocol as far as it being either just a recordable or reportable and depending on the amount who is to be called. a hot zone may be necessary to be set up to keep people or cows out and they go from there. there is a time limit on how quickly the appropriate people are to be notified.
if not of those on the list are available the man on the spot is in charge until the proper people arrive.
The feds take this very serious when something like this happens. If the calls are made in accordance with protocol they read the report and if nothing stands out they file them and move on to the next.
I remember once some liquid got off our plant site, the reporting was fine but the quantity and fact that it got off the plant got the feds involved. they showed up about a week after we started cleaning up the creek after daming it up about three miles off the plant site. the first week the clean up crew worked day and night getting the bulk vaccumed off the water. after that they were on the site for 4 solid months picking up the oil that had soaked into the banks and was leeching back up each day.
finally when we declared that our testing showed that the clean up was done EPA came out on three separate occasions and had us do certain things until they blessed it.
having said that having worked on over 100 fracs in east texas and a few in Elm Grove I did not see anyone who was not determined to turn the site over to the next group without issue. this could have been over sight or someone missing a valve or the run off...but it will cost someone...
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Permalink Reply by Connell on
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acid is still acid kb and what ever that act is won't stop them from doing what ever there propertied will do. when i was on site everyone emphasized the importance of what they would do to the individual and the environment.
which is usually why they fence in and put cattle gaps where livestock is located.
the 2005 act may have relaxed some reporting procedures but they are still haz mat....
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Permalink Reply by Henry on
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JD -- What? Someone on this site actually apologizing? You get my vote for shaler of the month!
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Permalink Reply by Jerad Doty on
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I have never heard of anything like that happening around the Barnett Shale, are the authorities 100% sure that the cows drank the water or could it have been an odorless gas that sometimes happens with the drilling of wells, devices are made to detect the gas because it is deadly just wondering if they had even ruled that possibility out, were any other animals found dead i.e. birds deer or any type of wildlife in or around the area. And I have another questions and ladies please don't get mad but why is Mr. Prator wanting reimbursement for having to deal with the situation I am not real clear on that?? What if Chesapeake or schlumberger doesn;t agree to pay the parrish, can they sue for that? I wouldn't think so? Maybe someone can shed some light on this for me.
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Permalink Reply by The_Baron on
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The athorities are not sure of anything. thats why there is no official statements from the agencies that handle these things, just Mr. Prators suposing.
I would rule out a gas, mostly because there were no reported ill effects on all the workers onsite.
Finally, I bet CHK pays the sheriff, just because it would be cheaper in the long run (also who wants the negative news to continue), but without a court order, or official determination of crinimal wrong doing, what athority does the sheriff have to bill for his investigation.
This is politics and nothing else, the sheriff just wants to look like the good defender of the public so he can score more votes.
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