There is little or no evidence hydraulic fracturing of gas and oil wells - when conducted properly - contaminates water supplies. But as the state's top official in charge of monitoring wells noted this week, that does not let the drilling industry off the hook regarding environmental concerns.
Speaking at a conference in Morgantown, West Virginia Office of Oil and Gas chief James Martin said his office has not found any situations in which "fracking" released methane gas into drinking water supplies.
But Martin added an important qualifier. Gas wells drilled into the Marcellus Shale formation are completed thousands of feet below the water table - but pass through it. That makes it vital wells be properly encased, Martin explained.
Well casings are "getting more attention lately," he noted. "This is one area I don't think anyone wants to cut corners on," he added.
Precisely.
We have seen samples of the well casing techniques used by responsible drillers. They include several layers of metal pipe and concrete-like material intended to insulate substances going into and out of wells from the surrounding ground and rock. Frankly, they look bullet-proof, not to mention solid as a barrer against fluids and gases.
But not all drilling is being conducted by big companies with safeguards such as those used by firms such as Chesapeake Energy. We and other Northern Panhandle residents have heard various complaints about some smaller companies and sub-contractors (see editorial below).
It is imperative that Martin's agency police the industry adequately to ensure all involved behave responsibly and with concern for the environment in general, as well as residents who live near wells.
Drillers who cut corners on any aspect of their work, including well casings, should be penalized severely - perhaps even banned from doing business in West Virginia. While the industry employs a variety of safeguards, they are of no value if the rules are not followed.