The United States has more recoverable shale gas than any other country in the world. Deep under Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia and Maryland is the Marcellus Shale gas-rich formation.
To reach the gas deposits, exploration companies use a method called fracking. The process blasts large quantities of water, sand and chemicals deep underground. This breaks up rock formations releasing oil and gas. Much of the production takes place in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Companies exploring and drilling in the Marcellus Shale Field are aware of the explosion and fire risks, but sometimes skip safety measures in the pressure to get new wells producing. A recent fatal accident demonstrates the risks.
Fatal fracking accident
In a recent early morning incident in West Virginia, a contractor working at a gas well was fatally injured in a fracking explosion. The accident happened at an established well and was not a result of drilling. According to initial reports, the worker was checking fluid in water storage tanks. He was on a catwalk near a "400-barrel brine tank," which held wastewater from the well drilling and production phase. The water is flammable, because it contains salts and petroleum-based constituents. Investigators from the Department of Environmental Protection and Occupational Safety and Health Administration were on site. While it is not clear what caused the fracking explosion, this incident details the risks involved in storing wastewater.Explosion risks
Drilling sites are more prone to explosions and fires than producing wells. Some of the common risks in the drilling process include:- Faulty drilling equipment
- Poorly maintained equipment
- Failing to adequately train workers
- Shortcuts on safety procedures