47-079-01288
Well drilled in 2005
Producing formation(s): Lower Huron Shale
Geographic location: latitude 38.517827, longitude -81.752252
Visited first in 2008
This well is the first of a number of wells that share the same well access road off Harmon's Creek Road to the west, what we call the long road group.
This is a recent well with a large pad. The well access earth road from the main access road is severely rutted because of poor drainage and other problems.
The pad itself is sparsely vegetated though the fill slope fares a little better. When we visited a second time later in the year the level pad showed signs of water ponding in places. Bare mineral soil is exposed throughout.
The 50-barrel steel tank doesn't have the required secondary containment dike. A maintenance issue is the lack of a lock for the tank's trap door.
Deep ruts between main access road and well.
This road was "daylighted" but drainage problems and lack of proper surfacing shows how sunlight and wind won't fix poor design.
Poor drainage. This spot is over a culvert. Water drains down road surface at both ends to this low spot.
Looking up rise toward well.
The pad had poor vegetation coverage -- about 50% at best.
Water ponds on the level surface of the pad.
Fifty barrel tank without required dike.
Tank trap door isn't locked.
Visited again in 2011
A large area bare of vegetation is visible in the photo in the center left. Two large pieces of pit liner are barely visible just beyond the bare area.
More large pieces of pit liner were found between the bare area and fill slope.
These are those two large pieces of pit liner, firmly embedded in the soil.
The bare area had small bits of orange plastic fencing used by the operator around the pit.
The access road was severely rutted. Two waterbars were damaged and ineffectual.
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