Now IF RGBL.Ob can get in with Encana solving water issues now they might be onto something .............................
they state below all water wells have to be tested within 600 m , i do believe that has changed to 800 m of a methane site
Coalbed methane approval criticized
By PAUL COWLEY
Advocate staff
Nov 02 2006
EnCana Corp. has the green light to drill 15 coalbed methane wells near Torrington, despite concerns raised by area farmers about noise and water well contamination.
Alberta Energy and Utilities Board issued its decision on Tuesday and included a number of conditions designed to protect drinking water, including the drilling of a monitoring well.
EnCana will also be required to keep noise levels from a compressor station to under 25 decibels in night summer conditions or show that noise is below ambient levels. Normally, the maximum nighttime levels allowed is 40 decibels.
EnCana’s coalbed methane plans triggered a four-day public hearing in Torrington in April — the first-ever methane hearings in Alberta.
There are more than 7,800 coalbed methane wells dotting the province and the industry is expected to expand quickly in coming years.
Tim Kohler was one of 17 area landowners represented at the hearings.
He is not satisfied that the board went far enough.
“On the noise thing, with the compressor, we’re pretty much all happy with that,” he said on Wednesday.
“On the water issue, it’s a big disappointment.”
At the hearings, Kohler called on the board to recommend that all wells, springs and spring-fed dugouts within 1.6 km be tested before and after drilling.
EUB regulations, updated during the hearings, require EnCana to test water wells within 600 metres of a methane site. The company is also expected to stick to a previous commitment to test certain water wells up to one km away from methane wells.
Kohler is concerned that a single monitoring well will not be enough to ensure water supplies are not threatened because the company will use extra caution near monitors.
“EnCana will be extra careful fracing,” he said, referring to an operation involving injecting fluids or other substances into underground fissures to prop them open so gas can move into wells.
“Pretty much on the other ones they can put the pedal to the metal.”
EUB spokesman Darin Barter said the monitoring well will be placed to ensure that it can detect water quality changes in the entire area. Also, data from all fracing operations must be submitted to the EUB within five days.
“If there are any issues about groundwater we will know about them.”
Barter said the issues raised at the hearing reflect what the province has been hearing from other areas. The board is confident that the conditions placed on EnCana’s application, along with existing regulations, will address concerns.
As a further step, a review of the use of surface water in coalbed methane development is to be undertaken by a third party to provide scientific evidence of the impacts.
A direct connection between coalbed methane and water well contamination or other problems has not been identified so far.
EnCana spokesman Pat Welsh said the company is pleased with the board’s decision and believes it is fair to all involved.
The company is committed to meeting all of the conditions and noted current regulations will “provide all the safeguards required” to address area landowners’ concerns,” said Welsh, vice-president of the company’s Parkland business unit.
EnCana expects to begin drilling early next year.
Don Bester, who is involved with the Butte Action Committee and deeply involved in Central Alberta water issues, was dismayed by the board’s decision.
The EUB dismissed many landowner concerns such as the use of surface water in wells and the need for additional well casing to protect water sources, he said.
As a regulator body, the EUB is the wrong organization to be holding public hearings that question its regulations, he said.
“Personally, I do not stand a chance of getting a fair decision from the EUB. I’ve lost all confidence in that hearing and I’m not the only one. This is all over.”
reddeeradvocate.com |
