47-039-02079
Well drilled in 1966
Producing formation(s): Newburg
Geographic location: latitude 38.253909, longitude -81.683801
Visted in 2011
Two wells were on the same pad in the Kanawha State Forest.
47-039-01939 is to the left of George and at the edge of the pad. 47-039-02079 is in front and to the right of George.
The wellhead for 47-039-02079 had a warning for the possible presence of hydrogen sulfide, a gas that can be extremely toxic.
The metal at the wellhead for 47-039-02079 was severely corroded.
One of the characteristics of hydrogen sulfide is that it rapidly corrodes metal. The gas can destroy wellheads and pipelines, making the metal paper thin.
There was a plastic tank near this well sitting within adequate secondary containment. Since there were two wells on the pad we were not sure if this tank served one or both wells.
Besides a plastic condensate storage tank the site had this large steel tank (about 20 feet high with a ladder up the back).
The Office of Oil and Gas told us this was an older style separator to remove fluids from the natural gas.
Associated with the tall tank was a cement "pond" filled with water. We tested the water and there wasn't significant chloride present.
Gas Well Site Visits
Examining Well Sites
How We Examined Well Sites
Environmental Assessment
Table with Links to Wells Visited
47-039-05714 Environmental Assessment
47-079-01492 Environmental Assessment
47-039-02026 Environmental Assessment
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.
The Details
Plunger Lift Technology on Gas Wells
Fluids Brought to the Surface during Production
Plugging a Well
How To Read a Lab Report
Information the Completion Report Provides
Casing and Cementing