Office of Oil and Gas issues Cease Order for Chesapeake well site

 

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Notice of Violation and ordered Chesapeake Appalachia LLC to cease all operations at its Marshall County gas well drilling site where an ignition occurred around 6:50 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 19.

 

No one was injured in the accident but a fire continues to burn at Chesapeake’s McDowell B site, which is located about nine miles from Cameron. There are a total of six wells at the location, including one that is in the drilling stage. The DEP’s Office of Oil and Gas is investigating the cause of the accident and has inspectors on site.        

 

Tuesday, the Office of Oil and Gas (OOG) issued Chesapeake Appalachia LLC a Notice of Violation (NOV) for failing to prevent the release of natural gas and the potential pollution of the waters of the state.

 

In conjunction with that NOV, the OOG also determined the violation presents an imminent danger to persons and an imminent danger that a fresh water source or supply will be contaminated or lost. Therefore, a Cease Order was issued halting all operations associated with exploration and production at the McDowell B site until the OOG determines that the imminent danger has been abated.

 

Contact:

Kathy Cosco
304-926-0499, ext. 1331
Kathy.Cosco@wv.gov