Pennsylvania to Vote on Regulation Establishing Cement Type for Marcellus Shale Wells

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will vote on an important regulation that will require Marcellus Shale drillers to use a stronger type of cement inside the casing of the wellbores.  The regulation will be part of the well construction rule that currently regulates the time the cement must be allowed to settle as well as setting limits on how much pressure can be applied to a well.

According to Range Resources, one of the Marcellus Shale drilling companies, the process to fully isolate the wellbore involves inserting multiple heavy steel casings extending from the ground surface to deep into the ground, and fully cemented into the wellbore.  Once the initial wellbore cement has set, the wellbore setting is continued “from the bottom of the previously cemented steel casing to the next depth. This process is repeated using smaller diameter steel casings until the oil and gas bearing rock is reached. ”

John Hanger, the secretary of DEP, said that he will propose amendments that will make the rule even stronger to reflect some of the 2,000 public comments received by the DEP since the rule was proposed.

The regulation will be voted on during the meeting of the Environmental Quality Board on October 12, 2010.

If you are a property owner whose property has been harmed by natural gas exploration, talk to an attorney who is experienced in Marcellus Gas drilling issues.  The attorneys at Munley Law represent victims who have been injured through no fault of their own, including those who have suffered personal injury and those who have been harmed through the loss of enjoyment of their property.