Contaminant confirmed at Robson Site

‘Weathered petroleum product’ found in soil

By SANDY LONG

HONESDALE, PA — The presence of dead or dying trees on a Wayne County natural gas well pad site has led to an ongoing investigation of the Robson Well site on Fox Hill Road in Wayne County, PA. Initial sampling performed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC, which drilled the exploratory well, has revealed contaminated soils at the site.

On October 15, the DEP collected soil samples there, confirming the presence of a “weathered petroleum product, possibly transmission oil or pump oil,” as specified in a DEP Notice of Violation (NOV) letter submitted to James E. Grey of Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC, on November 9.

“Our investigation revealed that an uncontained release of a petroleum product had occurred at the site,” notes the NOV.

Based on lab results issued October 22, as well as visibly impacted soil, the DEP cites violation of several Pennsylvania laws in its NOV to Chesapeake.

The letter specifies violation of the Solid Waste Management Act for “an uncontained release of a petroleum product.” For discharge of fluids to a forested area, creating the potential for “pollutional substances” to enter waters of the Commonwealth, a violation of the Clean Streams Law was cited. The investigation also found that “pollutional substances generated from activities associated with drilling were not contained in a pit or tank,” constituting a violation of the Oil and Gas Act.

According to the NOV, the DEP could institute administrative, civil and/or criminal proceedings for violation of the Solid Waste Management Act or the Oil and Gas Act, each of which provide for a range of fines related to civil and criminal penalties.

Chesapeake is working with the DEP to address the situation and has submitted sample results to the DEP’s Oil and Gas Program. Once delineation and remediation of a spill is called for, the DEP’s Northeast Regional Office’s (NERO) environmental cleanup program becomes involved.

NERO staff met on-site with Chesapeake to discuss further sampling requirements and will provide ongoing guidance.

According to DEP community relations coordinator Daniel Spadoni, the DEP has approved the soil sampling plan submitted by Chesapeake. Additional sampling will continue in approximately 12 locations.

In early December, Chesapeake’s consultant conducted an electromagnetic conductivity test to determine where the best areas for continued sampling are.

“The goal is to clearly define the boundaries of the spill as well as what the contaminants of concern will be,” said Spadoni. The samples will be analyzed for volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds and for total metals, such as aluminum, cobalt, nickel, chloride and more.

According to Spadoni, when the results come back, the DEP will meet with Chesapeake again to discuss the data and determine what additional remediation may be necessary.

“While we have not been able to identify any operational deficiencies that would negatively impact the environment at the Robson site, we are working with DEP to conduct follow-up tests, as well as consulting with appropriate experts to review the data and provide an independent analysis,” said director of corporate development Brian Grove. “Chesapeake is committed to being a good neighbor and environmental steward wherever we operate. We are working proactively to fully and accurately account the facts of this matter and take appropriate action, if needed.”