The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) issued a notice of violation to Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. for two spills that occurred last week related to hydraulic fracturing (hydrofrac) fluids, but the investigation is far from over after the producer reported a third spill at the site Tuesday, the regulatory agency said.

According to DEP, Cabot contractors in two separate incidents last week spilled an estimated 8,000 gallons of a liquid gel at the company’s Heitsman natural gas well pad in Dimock Township in Susquehanna County (see Daily GPI, Sept. 21). The gel, called LGC-35, is mixed with water and acts as a lubricant to fracture natural gas shale. About 4.9 gallons of LGC-35 are mixed with each 1,000 gallons of water.

“DEP is very concerned about spills at Cabot sites and will require Cabot to take all necessary actions to prevent them from recurring,” DEP Northcentral Regional Director Robert Yowell said.

Cabot said failed pipe connections caused both spills, which polluted a wetland and caused a fish kill in Stevens Creek, DEP said. The wetland was flushed with water late last week to remove the gel, and the mixture was then pumped to on-site storage tanks. No remediation was required in Stevens Creek. Some soil excavation may be required, depending upon sample results, officials said.

The notice of violation cites Cabot for an unpermitted discharge of polluting substances, an unpermitted discharge of residual waste, two unpermitted encroachments on Stevens Creek, not containing polluting substances at the well site and an unpermitted discharge of industrial waste. The incidents violated Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law, Pennsylvania Solid Waste Management Act, Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, and Oil and Gas Act, officials said.

Cabot was given 10 days to respond and explain “any additional steps that will be taken to correct the violations, and what steps are being taken to prevent their recurrence.” Once the clean-up is completed, DEP may assess a civil penalty.

DEP also is investigating a spill that occurred Tuesday at the Heitsman site. Cabot told DEP a closed valve caused an increase in pressure and a hose ruptured. According to officials, about 420 gallons of the LGC-35/water mixture spilled, with all but 10 gallons recovered from a catch basin. The remaining fluid is being cleaned up by Cabot contractors.

“DEP’s investigation is continuing and additional actions are being evaluated,” officials said. Cabot had no comment.

©Copyright 2009Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. The preceding news reportmay not be republished or redistributed, in whole or in part, in anyform, without prior written consent of Intelligence Press, Inc.