Cabot Oil & Gas Responds to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Order
28 Septembre 2009 - 2:48AM
PR Newswire (US)
HOUSTON, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cabot Oil & Gas
Corporation (NYSE:COG) today reported on its remediation of three
frac fluid releases at its Heitsman 4H Well location in Dimock
Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. As reported to the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), on
September 16, 2009 during fracing operations being performed by
Cabot contractors, Baker Corporation and Halliburton, there were
two releases of frac fluid for a total of approximately 7980
gallons, some of which entered Steven's Creek. The frac fluid is
99.5% fresh water and 0.5% gel. This mixture is not hazardous or
dangerous. Cabot has determined these releases were caused by
failed piping connections between the frac tanks holding a fresh
water supply and the equipment used to pump the fluid into the
shale formation located more than a mile underground. Also as
reported to the PADEP, on September 22, 2009 a release of frac
fluid occurred on the same location of approximately 420 gallons.
Cabot has determined this release was caused by a pressure surge
which caused a hose to rupture. After each event, and in
conjunction with the PADEP, Cabot immediately mobilized a crew to
pump the released fluid into on-site storage tanks and clean up any
remaining fluid. Water and sediment samples were taken by Cabot at
Steven's Creek, after flushing operations, on September 17, 2009
and again on September 22, 2009. Results obtained to date confirm
that remediation efforts have been successful. Dan O. Dinges,
Chairman, President and CEO of Cabot, stated "Cabot has a zero
tolerance for releases on Cabot properties, and takes its
obligations very seriously in this regard. I am pleased with the
remediation at the Heitsman 4H location, have been advised that
minimal impact resulted from the initial spill containment
measures, and there is no further impact to the environment as a
result of the releases." Cabot is working with Halliburton and
Baker to fully determine the cause of the releases and the
appropriate additional measures to prevent reoccurrence in the
future. Despite Cabot's positive working relationship with the
PADEP field personnel with whom Cabot interacts on a daily basis,
Cabot received an Order from the Environmental Program Manager, Oil
and Gas Management of the PADEP, located in Williamsport,
Pennsylvania, to temporarily cease all hydraulic-fracturing/well
stimulation operations in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania until
there is a full review of the incidents. Dinges stated, "Cabot is
disappointed by the PADEP's issuance of this Order. Based on the
facts as we know them, we disagree with several of the allegations
made in the Order. However, Cabot is fully committed to
understanding the cause of these releases, improving our
contractor's procedures and to the timely resumption of our fracing
operations, all of which we will communicate to the market as new
information becomes available. This Order has no impact on our
drilling which will continue as planned, and there will be no
disruption to existing production." Cabot Oil & Gas
Corporation, headquartered in Houston, Texas is a leading
independent natural gas producer, with its entire resource base
located in the continental United States. For additional
information, visit the Company's Internet homepage at
http://www.cabotog.com/. The statements regarding future financial
performance and results and the other statements which are not
historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not
limited to, market factors, the market price (including regional
basis differentials) of natural gas and oil, results of future
drilling and marketing activity, future production and costs, and
other factors detailed in the Company's Securities and Exchange
Commission filings. DATASOURCE: Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation
CONTACT: Ken Komoroski of Cabot Oil & Gas, +1-412-355-6556 Web
Site: http://www.cabotog.com/
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