Range Resources First To Volunteer Fracking Forms
In an effort to provide regulators, landowners and citizens with the details and contents of fluids used in the hydraulic fracturing process, Range Resources Corporation became the first company to voluntarily submit disclosure forms to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today.
Fracking – and fracking fluid – has been a hot button issue not only in the Marcellus Shale play (where Range owns several shale wells), but also throughout the US.
Earlier this month, the New York state senate voted in favour of a temporary suspension through May 2011 on new drilling permits for the fracturing of shale rock deep under the ground. The fracturing process involves pumping underground, at high pressure, millions of gallons of water laced with chemicals and fine sands. The water breaks apart the rock and the fine sands prop it open so the gas can escape and be pumped out of the formation.
The chemicals are the cause of concern for many, but Range says their voluntary effort is aiming to change people’s opinion on the fracking fluid.
We’re hopeful that our voluntary effort will help to dispel misconceptions about the process and allow Range and others to deliver on the potential of this extraordinary resource base,” said John Pinkerton, Chairman and CEO of Range Resources, in a press release. “Our voluntary initiative represents the beginning of a series of announcements and efforts that Range is undertaking to allow people to better understand that natural gas is a valuable resource that can be pursued responsibly and for the benefit of the citizens in the regions where it’s developed and for the future of the United States.”
Even government officials are commending Range’s submission of the forms.
“With many questions about the environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale still unanswered, I commend Range Resources for its decision to voluntarily disclose information about the contents of the fluids they are using in that process on a per well basis, and I strongly encourage other companies drilling in the Marcellus Shale to disclose the components of their fluids in that kind of detail as well,” said US Congressman Mike Doyle.
Short URL: http://naturalgasforamerica.com/?p=1105
Posted by admin
on August 13th, 2010. Filed under Environment, Marcellus Shale, Shale Basins, Technology.
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