Contaminated

It may have occurred in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, miles away from the U.S. onshore, but last April’s Macondo well blowout contaminated the image of natural gas and oil producers onshore as well, the CEO of Pioneer Natural Resources Co. said Wednesday.

Residents of Dimock Township in Susquehanna County, PA, whose drinking water supplies were contaminated by natural gas, are to receive a share of $4.1 million that Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. agreed to pay under a settlement negotiated with the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Residents who voluntarily evacuated their Caddo Parish, LA, homes on Monday after state officials found that natural gas had contaminated private water wells were told Wednesday to stay away at least another day until test results are completed. Natural gas apparently leaked into an aquifer during a drilling test by EXCO Resources Inc. (see Daily GPI, April 21). Officials with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality said the natural gas in the water wells isn’t poisonous, but it could accumulate enough to cause an explosion. EXCO is paying for accommodations for the dislocated residents until they are allowed to return home.

Residents who voluntarily evacuated their Caddo Parish, LA, homes on Monday after state officials found that natural gas had contaminated private water wells were told Wednesday to stay away at least another day until test results are completed. Natural gas apparently leaked into an aquifer during a drilling test by EXCO Resources Inc. (see Daily GPI, April 21). Officials with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality said the natural gas in the water wells isn’t poisonous, but it could accumulate enough to cause an explosion. EXCO is paying for accommodations for the dislocated residents until they are allowed to return home.

At least three contaminated water wells near Pavillion, WY, contain hydraulic fracturing (hydrofrac) chemicals used by natural gas drillers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said in a preliminary report issued earlier this month.

At least three contaminated water wells near Pavillion, WY, contain a hydraulic fracturing (hydrofrac) chemical used by natural gas drillers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said in a preliminary report issued earlier this month.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has asked Ameren Corp. and subsidiaries to expand their investigation into PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl)-contaminated liquids found in natural gas distribution systems in Alton and East St. Louis, IL, the agency said last week.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has asked Ameren Corp. and subsidiaries to expand their investigation into PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl)-contaminated liquids found in natural gas distribution systems in Alton and East St. Louis, IL, the agency said Tuesday.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is investigating the Nicor Gas distribution system in Park Ridge, IL, for PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl)-contaminated liquids, the agency said Monday.