Pavillion

Activist groups once again are calling for more information about natural gas wells plugged and abandoned near Pavillion, WY, where drinking water previously was allegedto have been contaminated by drilling. Wyoming officials concluded in late 2016 that gas drilling activity did not contaminateany water wells. In a letter sent to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Pavillion Area Concerned Citizens and Powder River Basin Resource Center requested information about the issue. BLM “has received the letter…and will respond appropriately in the near future,” said a spokesperson. “To date, the BLM has fulfilled its inspection and enforcement requirements” while working with field owner Encana Corp. “to plug wells in the Pavillion oil and gas field. This is a responsibility the BLM takes seriously and will continue to coordinate with the proper agencies and tribes to address concerns in the Pavillion area.”

A state of Wyoming report released on Thursday has concluded that natural gas drilling activity, including hydraulic fracturing (fracking), did not contaminate water wells in the town of Pavillion, which five years ago was the subject of controversial U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tests tying the gas operations to water problems.

Strong concerns in recent years regarding natural gas drilling possibly contaminating local water supplies for the small town of Pavillion, WY, resurfaced recently as a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regional office fired criticism at a Wyoming study last year that concluded gas development activity, including hydraulic fracturing (fracking), had nothing to do with local water problems.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it is discontinuing the public comment period of its draft research report on alleged groundwater contamination from natural gas wells drilled near Pavillion, WY, which formally brings the agency’s inquiry into the matter to a close.

Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead on Wednesday signed a new law changing the requirements for the state’s oil and natural gas supervisor, a post that has been vacant since June. Senate Enrolled Act 3 changes the criteria for the top oil/gas spot in the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (OGCC).

In the article “IPAA-Backed Study Says EPA Finding in Pavillion, WY, ‘Unsupported'” (see Shale Daily, May 18), NGI incorrectly stated that S.S. Papadopulos & Associates is Houston-based. The firm is based in Bethesda, MD. NGI regrets the error.