Gas at a Glance

DEP FINES CHESAPEAKE AND SCHLUMBERGER FOR HYDROCHLORIC ACID SPILL

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has fined Chesapeake Appalachia LLC and Schlumberger Technology Corporation $15,557 each for a 295-gallon hydrochloric acid spill at Chesapeake’s Chancellor well site in Asylum Township, Bradford County on February 9. The spill was reported by Chesapeake staff, who notified DEP that a 21,000-gallon tank containing 36 percent hydrochloric acid used for hydraulic fracturing was leaking.

A DEP inspector determined that the tank had two leaks and was losing about 7.5 gallons per hour of hydrochloric acid. Chesapeake’s emergency contractor removed free-standing acid from the ground with absorbent pads; excavated trenches to contain the acid; neutralized acid-contaminated soil with soda ash and hydrated lime; and transferred about 11,000 gallons of acid from the leaking tank to two temporary tanks. About 126 tons of contaminated soil had to be excavated, and more than 13,800 gallons of a hydrochloric acid and water mixture were removed from the well site. For more information call 570/327-3659 or visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Hazardous waste.

64 NEW MARCELLUS SHALE GAS WELLS STARTED IN FIRST 2 WEEKS OF NOVEMBER

The DEP has reported 64 new Marcellus Shale natural gas wells were started in Pennsylvania during the first two weeks of November, more than double the number started during the entire month of October.

FOX FILM ON GAS DRILLING HEADS FOR SUNDANCE

The documentary film, “Gasland,” produced by local filmmaker Josh Fox, will debut at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah in January 2010. The film chronicles the natural gas boom sweeping the United States. Fox’s 24-state journey examines the consequences of natural gas extraction in the film described as “part verite travelogue, part expose, part mystery, part bluegrass banjo meltdown, part showdown.” The film includes encounters with EPA whistleblowers, congressmen, scientists and “some of the most incredibly inspiring and heart-wrenching stories of ordinary Americans fighting against fossil fuel giants for environmental justice.”