DEP Fines Chesapeake Appalachia LLC, Schlumberger Technology Corp.
for Hydrochloric Acid Spill in Bradford County
PA-DEP News Release
7 December 2009
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Northcentral Regional Office
208 W. Third Street, Suite 101
Williamsport, Pa 17701
News Release
CONTACT:
Daniel T. Spadoni
Phone: 570-327-3659
Williamsport – The Department of Environmental Protection has fined
Chesapeake Appalachia LLC and Schlumberger Technology Corp. $15,557
each for a 295-gallon hydrochloric acid spill at Chesapeake’s
Chancellor well site in Asylum Township, Bradford County.
"Fortunately, this hazardous waste spill was
promptly reported, which proved critical in limiting the environmental
damage,” said DEP Northcentral Regional Director Robert Yowell.
Chesapeake staff notified DEP on Feb. 9 that a 21,000-gallon tank
containing 36 percent hydrochloric acid was leaking. The acid was used
for hydraulic fracturing.
When a DEP inspector arrived at the site, it was determined that the
tank had two leaks and was losing about 7.5 gallons per hour of
hydrochloric acid.
Chesapeake’s emergency contractor arrived that evening and removed
free-standing acid from the ground with absorbent pads; excavated
trenches to contain the acid; neutralized acid-contaminated soil with
soda ash and hydrated lime; and transferred about 11,000 gallons of
acid from the leaking tank to two temporary tanks.
About 126 tons of contaminated soil had to be excavated, and more than
13,800 gallons of a hydrochloric acid and water mixture were removed
from the well site.
The fines were paid to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Chesapeake Appalachia LLC is a natural gas exploration company located
in Charleston, W. Va., and Schlumberger Technology Corp. is a natural
gas service company based in Sugar Land, Texas.
For more information, call 570-327-3659 or visit
www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Hazardous waste.