Hazardous levels of methane found in Dimock water well

BY LAURA LEGERE, Times-Shamrock Writer

A water testing firm contracted by Cabot Oil and Gas Corp. found explosive levels of methane in a vented Dimock Twp. water well last month during routine screening of more than a dozen water wells where methane contamination has been linked to natural gas drilling.

The concentration of methane in the open space above the water in the Sautner family well exceeded the lower explosive limit, the point when the mixture of methane in air becomes an explosion hazard, according to test results sent from a Cabot compliance manager to the Department of Environmental Protection on Sept. 16.

State regulators have determined that faulty Cabot natural gas wells allowed methane to seep into 18 water supplies in an area aroundCarter Roadin Dimock, including the Sautner well. The gas levels in the wells continue to be monitored every two weeks as part of a consent order reached between DEP and Cabot in December.

Cabot denies its operations caused the elevated methane levels, which it claims are naturally occurring. It has provided treatment systems or temporary replacement water supplies to the affected homes.

Cabot spokesman George Stark said the methane level in the Sautner water well has declined since the September test and routine screening has shown the increase was not sustained before or after the test.

“It’s an anomaly that could be impacted by seasonal or weather-related effects,” he said.

Gas migration underground is affected by changes in barometric pressure, temperature and precipitation, according to the DEP.

DEP spokeswoman Freda Tarbell said Friday she could not characterize if the test results were a spike or part of a trend.

Asked if the department considers the methane level a cause for concern,  Tarbell said, “I really can’t go there.”

Five of the 18 monitored water wells currently have levels of methane dissolved in the water above the standard set by the department in the consent order,  Tarbell said. The department standard is 7 milligrams per liter and the five wells have dissolved methane levels of between 8.6 and 31.9 milligrams per liter, she said.

It is unclear what effect, if any, the test results will have on Cabot’s efforts to resume operations in a 9-square-mile area of Dimock that state regulators placed off limits to the company in April 2010 because of the methane contamination.

Cabot is expected to submit a report to the department on Monday, Oct. 17, explaining the steps it has taken to comply with the terms of the consent order.

“The department is going to make a decision based on what the department sees,”  Tarbell said.

She pointed out that “the combustible free gas was a major issue” guiding the consent order when it was first developed.

Craig Sautner, the owner of the water well, said he is worried about the “awfully high” methane level. He and other Dimock landowners are currently suing Cabot.

“My main concern right now is it’s highly explosive and that’s definitely not in compliance,” he said.