Harford Township updated on seismic testing

BY PAT FARNELLI

Harford Township supervisors were informed of a new method of seismic testing that will soon be used to search for natural gas in part of the township during their meeting Tuesday, Sept. 13.

Doug Garrett, project manager for Cougar Land Services and representative of ION, a seismic testing company measuring the depth of the Marcellus Shale for several different gas companies, introduced his company and answered questions from the visitors and supervisors.

Garrett previously represented Quality Seismic, and acknowledged several seismic testing companies which have been active inSusquehannaCounty.

His company has recently been contacting property owners in the township to inform them that seismic testing will be taking place shortly, and to offer them payment for the rights to conduct the 3D imaging tests that will give drilling companies valuable information about the natural gas, oil, and minerals located beneath the land surface.

Supervisors Sue Furney and Terry VanGorden both said they have received letters and phone calls about the testing, and have agreed to allowIONto conduct the seismic procedures on their own properties. Both said they had received a check for their consent.

Other seismic testing operations inSusquehannaCountydid not pay the landowner, Garrett said.

Other differences include more sophisticated technology.IONuses wireless, reflective 3D imagery, so webs of orange cables formerly associated with seismic testing will not be strewn about; neither will they use the large “thumper trucks” to rattle the earth with vibrations.

Helicopters will be used, and buried charges will be detonated as is customary in seismic testing. The large equipment will only be moved when the technicians cross a county line.

“Those pieces of equipment weigh about 23,000 pounds,” Garrett said.

Most of the time, the technicians will be driving pickup trucks and staying on the public roads. Private roads and property can only be accessed with written permission by the owners.
There are at least six lakes in the designated area that are not owned by a Lakeowner’s Association, and lakes can create a problematic situation in determining who owns the mineral rights underneath.

“It is our understanding that no one knows who owns the land underTingleyLake,” Furney said.

Testing can be conducted no less than 300 feet from a spring or stream, and 400 feet from a water well.

Company representatives should be contacting each landowner in the proposed area to obtain permission and to ascertain the whereabouts of wells, springs, and bodies of water.

The checks to reimburse property owners are made out for $5 per acre, with a $25 minimum payment.

Garrett was not the first seismic testing representative to contact the supervisors.

Jessup Township supervisor Bunnell had discussed seismic testing with the supervisors, and Cathy Fitzpatrick had as well.