Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Gas Executive Sounds Warning On Cementing Of Gas Wells

This isn't the first time a gas executive has expressed concern about cement failure for well casings. We have posted info on this before. Lee Fuller, Vice President of the Independent Petroleum Association of America admits that even with best practices that contamination may occur. He said the cement casing will deteriorate over time, wells will need to be re-worked periodically and even when it done the cement may be flawed and there may still be failures.


Now Paul Smith, Executive Vice President of North American Operations for Talisman Energy gave this warning during a speech to industry group Marcellus Shale Coalition.


Smith said....
However, industry must recognize that reported cases of gas migration into water tables can occur as the result of ineffective well design and cementing practices.”


Click here to read a great piece on cracking cement.

Since we don't have any long term studies, how do we really know what the life of a "cement casing job" is?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Dallas Morning News ran a story about a manufacturer based in Fort Worth who makes the hydraulic drilling bits for fracking. It was in the Business section due to it being bought out by a Scottish manufacturer. Wish I could remember the name, but one of the executives was quoted as saying how exciting it was to out on site when they were fracking a well, because you could literally feel the earth move beneath your feet.

With that being said, drillers have to use massive psi, along with slick water to break a dense shale formation that has been compressed by heat and pressure for millions of years. Are we really to believe that cement casing is going to protect our aquifers and soil from contamination?

At least some people in the industry are honest.

FMCAUD said...

Anon 7:36, funny you should mention the earth moving beneath their feet. Today, two residents across the street from Hilliard, felt their houses shake. When they called the town, the town checked into it and confirmed that at the time Titan was fracking and using a explosive. Which is what they do.
Last week, we heard from two residents again that said they felt shaking.
All these residents are about 1500' from the site.
Thanks for sharing

Anonymous said...

Those people need to take pictures along the entire perimeter of their house now! If they have foundation problems, they'll know who to blame.