DEP Halts Drilling Operation After Spill
Charleston Gazette
28 March 2011
By The Associated Press
SALEM, W.Va. -- State regulators have halted operations at a gas well
site in Harrison County after chemically tainted drilling mud spilled
into a stream.
The mud spilled into Indian Run last week from Antero Resources
Appalachian Corp.'s well pad about 3 miles north of Salem, The Exponent
Telegram reported.
Indian Run is not a source of drinking water, said Ronnie Davis,
director of public works for the city of Salem.
State Department of Environmental Protection spokeswoman Kathy Cosco
said her agency issued five notices of violation to Denver-based Antero
and Bronco Drilling of Edmond, Okla.
Bronco agreed to make corrections at its active drilling sites and pay
a $15,000 civil penalty, she said.
That allows Bronco to resume operations elsewhere in West Virginia.
DEP records show neither company has had any previous violations, Cosco
said. Antero has been issued about 94 permits since 2009, with most of
its active wells in Harrison County.
Antero Vice President Al Schopp said the company will meet with the DEP
this week and do any needed remediation.
Schopp said workers had completed drilling, and contractors were
breaking the rig down to prepare for removal. When it's gone, Antero
will do soil samples around the well pad to check for contamination, he
said.