Energy Environmental Blog

Texas RRC Finds No Evidence That E&P Operations Caused Methane Contamination (Again)

Written by Greg Russell | May 31, 2014 7:10:00 PM

We reported previously on methane contamination claims being investigated (and ultimately rejected) by the Texas Railroad Commission (Texas RRC) (e.g., see here).  Last week, the Texas RRC again found those claims to be unsupported by the evidence with respect to additional wells.  See here.  From the report:  "The occurrence of natural gas in the complainants' water wells may be attributed to processes unrelated to recent Barnett Shale gas production.  Specifically, from natural migration of gas from the shallow Strawn Formation, exacerbated by water well construction practices whereby some water wells have penetrated 'red beds' in the transition interval between the aquifer and the Strawn Formation."

Read the whole thing.