Well drilled in 1968, worked over 1974
Producing formation(s): Oriskany, Newburg
Geographic location: latitude 38.473465, longitude -81.754645
Amongst the gas wells along North and South Pocatalico River Roads is this on North River Road.
This well is close to but not readily visible from North River Road.
The short access road between the state road and the well needs to be surfaced -- it's badly rutted -- and a gate needs to be installed.
There were a number of problems here. The first thing we saw was the large amount of trash, some of which is the operator's. The API number wasn't clearly written for the county and seems to be 049 instead of 079. Since we know of another well with the same problem, on the same kind of tag, we believe that the county number is wrong and the tag should be replaced.
Metal plates cover a large void at the wellhead. The plates need to be taken away and the void filled with rock and/or soil.
The tank doesn't have the required secondary containment dike and because the site is close to the Pocatalico river this may be a federal SPCC violation in addition to not being in compliance with state regulations.
The well access road goes up a steep rise from North River Road.
The deeply rutted well access road is short. River Road is visible in the background and the river is nearby.
This access road should be graveled.
This older well site had problems with vegetation in spots.
There is a large void under these steel plates at the wellhead. The void should be filled with rock and dirt for safety and health reasons. The plates are loose and have a gap which is a safety concern. The void holds water and is a mosquito breeding spot.
There was a large amount of trash strewn about the site. Some of the trash is obviously operator cast offs such as the pipe in the foreground the steel steps from a former, larger tank.
Another photograph showing trash strewn about the site.
Tank without required secondary containment. This well isn't in compliance with state regulations. Because of its nearness to the river, it might also be violating federal SPCC regulations.
The storage tank still did not have secondary containment as required.
The wellhead now had an API number.
Like other sites on River Road we looked at this year, this one was overgrown. The tall piece of equipment in front of the wellhead is the separator.
Someone had dumped old tires at the site entrance.
We visited the site, and two other nearby sites, in 2011 to create a YouTube video describing the deficient secondary containment.
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