Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Explosion Rocks Natural Gas Drilling Well in Marcellus Shale, Workers Seriously Injured
Last edited Tue Jul 16, 2013, 01:59 AM - Edit history (2)
Several gas well workers were injured after an explosion at an Antero site in Doddridge County early Sunday morning. The explosion sent five of those workers to West Penn Burn Center in Pittsburgh and left residents concerned about the safety of themselves and other workers.
For John and Diane Pitcock, the sights and sounds of gas well drilling is the norm at their Doddridge County ranch. But after seeing an unusual flare and hearing venting on Saturday, they feared the worst.
"Everything was fine, I went to bed, and about 3:30, 4:00, I heard a noise enough to wake me...so I went on the porch, the back deck where our bedroom is, and instead of just a flare, to the left of the flare, there were two other low-to-the ground flares....and I knew that wasn't right," said John Pitcock.
The Pitcocks' house is located just 2,500 feet from the site where the gas well explosion occurred.
"This type of drilling is so different than conventional than regular drilling, and it has a lot more risks and concerns to it. It's not your conventional drilling," said Diane Pitcock.
http://www.wboy.com/story/22778144/doddridge-county-residents-want-answers-after-gas-well-explosion
For John and Diane Pitcock, the sights and sounds of gas well drilling is the norm at their Doddridge County ranch. But after seeing an unusual flare and hearing venting on Saturday, they feared the worst.
"Everything was fine, I went to bed, and about 3:30, 4:00, I heard a noise enough to wake me...so I went on the porch, the back deck where our bedroom is, and instead of just a flare, to the left of the flare, there were two other low-to-the ground flares....and I knew that wasn't right," said John Pitcock.
The Pitcocks' house is located just 2,500 feet from the site where the gas well explosion occurred.
"This type of drilling is so different than conventional than regular drilling, and it has a lot more risks and concerns to it. It's not your conventional drilling," said Diane Pitcock.
The Pitcocks were initially told (after driving off their property to find employees working nearby and emergency response officials) that they needed to evacuate, but were later told it was optional and they could remain.
Since then conflicting reports have emerged about the number of workers injured and the severity of their injuries at the well pad, which is officially called the Hinterer 2H well on the Ruddy Alt pad and is operated by Antero Resources. The West Virginia Gazette-Mail reported at least seven injured and at four or five workers were flown to West Penn Burn Center in Pittsburgh.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and the Doddridge County director of emergency services did not return phone calls as of publication. While the cause of the fire hasn’t been determined, writing for the Gazette-Mail, David Gutman explained that this is not the first safety issue that Antero has had recently...
John Pitcock says that he doesn’t think companies should be drilling in this manner in proximity to people’s homes.
more:http://www.alternet.org/fracking/explosion-rocks-natural-gas-drilling-well-marcellus-shale-west-virginiaSince then conflicting reports have emerged about the number of workers injured and the severity of their injuries at the well pad, which is officially called the Hinterer 2H well on the Ruddy Alt pad and is operated by Antero Resources. The West Virginia Gazette-Mail reported at least seven injured and at four or five workers were flown to West Penn Burn Center in Pittsburgh.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and the Doddridge County director of emergency services did not return phone calls as of publication. While the cause of the fire hasn’t been determined, writing for the Gazette-Mail, David Gutman explained that this is not the first safety issue that Antero has had recently...
John Pitcock says that he doesn’t think companies should be drilling in this manner in proximity to people’s homes.
3 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
