Gas Well Workshop
2012 First Session Conference Call Topics
USGS
topographic maps
USGS (US Geological Survey) 7.5 quadrangle maps are useful
because they show topography, streams and rivers. They also
show the locations of some wells and pipelines. We find the
grid makes locating a site easy when we have the UTM location.
We prefer UTM to longitude/latitude for this reason. Databases
(on the Office of Oil and Gas and WV Geological and Economic
Survey websites) give both measurements.
It's possible to either download or purchase USGS 7.5 quads online at http://store.usgs.gov. For more information about the maps go to http://nationalmap.gov/ustopo/index.html. There's a booklet that can be downloaded that explains the basics of these maps at http://www.isgs.illinois.edu/education/pdf-files/topo-map-guide-sm.pdf and there's a short document telling how to use or create UTM grids for locating features at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/gis/pdfs/quad.pdf.
When we checked the USGS store site they had some print quads on sale for $1 each. Normally they are about $8 each. Downloads are free. Use the search features to find the location in the state you're interested in, narrow down to the 7.5 quad, and, by clicking, a popup will appear with a list of maps available. You can download or purchase then. A quad is about 20 MB, not impossible for downloading with dialup. We have both downloaded and paper maps. For use on outings, the printed maps are best for us.
Printed copies can be ordered by calling Charleston Blueprint (304-343-1063 or 1-800-220-9625). You'll need to know the name of the quad (use the above website to find the names). The price when we called was $7.25 each plus tax and shipping.
Sizing
secondary containment
Secondary containment should be measured along bottom inside
edge, though we sometimes find it easier to measure along
the top. Measurements must be in feet, not inches.
The volume of rectangular containment is found in cubic feet - height x width x length.
The volume of circular containment is found in cubic feet - pi x radius squared x height. If you don't have a calculator, pi can be equal to 3.14. If all you can measure is the circumference, the radius is equal to the circumference divided by 2pi (or 6.28).
To find out how many gallons the containment will hold multiply the volume (in cubic feet) by 7.4805.
Access
to sites
Access to sites in our area has been fairly easy. Most are
not posted and do not have gates. We try our best to respect
others' property rights.
Last year we looked at four well sites in the Kanawha State Forest near Charleston. There was no impediment to access. The sites were next to recognized trails in a state park where well roads are also open for public access. We had a pleasurable day hiking from site to site.
Three wells we looked at were next to a state road. Two were plainly visible from the road, the third could be easily missed. Access was easy by car.
One well we looked at was by invitation of the surface owner. That property was gated and posted, but the surface owner was extremely interested to have us look at the well site. This is the well featured in the video for the third session. We were able to drive onto the well pad.
Talking with surface owners and neighbors has greatly expanded our knowledge of what happened at a well site. Where the pit actually was. How the waste was buried. It's helpful to record in some manner what surface owners say; they often have a lot to tell.
2013 Gas Well Workshop
About the Workshop
Session 1
Session 2
Session 3
Materials Used for the Workshop
Reporting Wells
Gas Well Study is the examination of natural gas wells in West Virginia.
Underground Injection Control Class 2 Wells
These wells are used either for the disposal of oil and gas liquid waste or for the enhanced recovery of oil or natural gas.
Gas Well Study Site Visits
Annual reports, environmental assessments, and individual well information.
YouTube Videos
Select videos from the Gas Well Study YouTube channel.
What Happened at Fernow
An investigation into what caused the vegetation death in the land application area after landspraying hydraulic fracture flowback waste.
The Spill at Buckeye Creek
An investigation into a spill from a Marcellus well site into Buckeye Creek in Doddridge county.