PA Well Blowout Easily Preventable, Potentially Catastrophic

[Photo from PA DEP]

DEP Secretary John Hanger announced that an independent investigation of the June 3rd blowout at a gas well in Clearfield County, PA, was preventable and that EOG Resources ignored industry standards by failing to install  proper barriers in the well and hiring uncertified operators.  In addition, EOG Resources failed to alert emergency authorities until several hours after the blowout, which hindered the state's response.  Hanger said

...this could have been a catastrophic incident. Had the gas blowing out of this well ignited, the human cost would have been tragic, and had an explosion allowed this well to discharge wastewater for days or weeks, the environmental damage would have been significant.

Read the whole story  here. (Article from Truthout by Mike Ludwig)

DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY!