DEP probes gas well leak in Forward Township
FORWARD TWP — The reported leak of an undocumented gas well in Forward Township is being investigated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
According to a neighbor, the mishap occurred sometime in early May or late April at the McElhinny well pad, along Brownsville Road near a local farm.
PennEnergy Resources, which operates the hydraulic fracturing operation in Forward Township, confirmed the presence of the leak in a statement to the Butler Eagle on Wednesday. They said they were notified of a potential gas leak on May 2 and discovered that an abandoned gas well causing the problem was “undocumented.”
"At this time, there is no indication of any communication with this well and our recent completions activities,“ said Amanda Peterson of PennEnergy Resources, which has an office in Cranberry Township.
According to eyewitness and neighbor, Steve Roberts, at least two households have been affected by the incident, which caused gas from an abandoned well near the site to leak into nearby water wells. In one of the affected wells, the air reportedly was recorded as containing 81% natural gas.
“Given the sensitivity of the situation with impacted water supplies, the DEP does not give out preliminary sample and/or investigation information,” said Tom Decker, regional communications manager for the DEP. “Investigation information is in the process of being collected and will be addressed accordingly by oil and gas staff once all information is gathered and reviewed.”
As of Wednesday, PennEnergy has hired a contractor to plug the hole, with plugging operations scheduled to start “sometime this week,” according to Decker.
“We will continue to monitor and work with appropriate state and local agencies as the situation warrants,” said PennEnergy in an statement. “Protecting the health and safety of our employees, contractors and neighboring communities continues to be our priority during this activity.”
