Rebuilding Clairton Together
  • Home
  • Welcome
  • Updates Feed
  • About Us (RCT)
    • Mission Statement & Philosophy
    • Theme Song
  • Helpful Resources
  • DCEDD (Dept OF Community & Economic Development)
  • City Council Minutes

Dozens gather to learn about seismic survey

3/5/2013

0 Comments

 
BY ERIC SLAGLE

Dozens of homeowners and farmers crowded into the Forward Township munici­pal building on Monday to learn about a seismic survey under way in the township and surrounding communi­ties related to gas production.

EQT Corp. and its con­tracted companies began seek­ing permission from property owners in the township about three weeks ago to undertake the testing, which will collect data eventually used to create a 52-square-mile three-dimen­sional map of gas deposits. That permitting process is also under way in Jefferson Hills, which is included in the survey area, but map mak­ers say they have yet to begin working in other communities in the survey, which include Clairton, Elizabeth Township, Elizabeth, West Elizabeth, South Park, Union Township, Carroll Township, New Eagle and Monongahela.

Once the companies devel­oping the map for EQT — Cou­gar Land Services and Geoki­netics — obtain the necessary permitting, a comprehensive map will be developed using information collected from underground blasting and surface vibration activities. Recording work is expected to begin in mid-June.

The underground testing involves using charges set 20 feet blow ground in 3-inch diameter holes to create seis­mic waves. Project officials say the tests will in most instances only create an audible “pop” that will not damage wildlife, water sources or buildings.

Keith McKay of Geokinetics said crews will set up a 300­ foot buffer zone around the test holes to prevent damage to structures, springs and wells.

“We do not want to destroy any structure that is vital to you,” McKay said.

He said the company will be responsible for any damages caused by the testing work. He said the 300-foot buffer is more than adequate to protect prop­erty amenities, noting that given the size of the charge used, there will be no earth movement beyond 170 feet of shot sites.

After readings are taken, crews will refill and plug the drill holes.

On roadways and in other areas where drilling for shot testing is not practical, crews will use a low frequency vibra­tion truck to produce seismic activity.

Testers will take readings from approximately every 220 feet over the entire map area.

McKay told property owners his company will take steps to make the impact from testing as minimal as possible.

Farm owner Amy Cline said she is worried that under­ground testing will have an impact on the spring on her property. She also noted the contract she was asked to sign granting the company’s per­mission to carry out the test­ing had no end date.

McKay said his company is willing to include reasonable time limits on the contract period. He estimated the work should only take about three weeks once testing gets under way. McKay said his company also is willing to hire someone to take flow tests on natural water sources before and after testing occurs as a means of gauging the impact of the test­ing on springs and wells.

When testing is under way, some property owners will have cables and underground listening devices, known as geophones, on their property.

Resident Jason Williams said he is concerned about damage that equipment might sustain or cause if it is installed on his farm.

McKay said farmers will not be held responsible for accidents that damage the testing equipment. He said crews will move the equip­ment if it is interfering with farm activities like putting up hay and pay for or repair damage caused to properties.

One resident asked if he had to grant the testers permis­sion to enter his property.

Doug Garrett from Cougar Land Services told the man he did not have to, but noted it probably would be in his financial interests to do so in the event there is a good source of gas beneath his land. Garrett said areas where no testing occurs will appear as a blank spot on the survey map and likely will not be considered for future energy exploration.

Officials said EQT is spend­ing millions of dollars to pre­pare the map.

EQT geologist James Pan­cake said of the township, “We know it’s a good area for gas production.” The map, he said, will help give a more accu­rate understanding of exactly where that gas is located.

Eric Slagle is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161, ext. 1966, or [email protected].

 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Cathy White,
    Rebuilding Clairton Together

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2017
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012


    Categories

    All
    Community Day
    Historical Pictures
    School

    If you would like to receive an email with updates to this page (once daily), enter your email address below and confirm the email sent to you.

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    *Important:  Once you enter your address above, you need to confirm the request via the emai that is immediately sent to you from feedburner.  If its not in your email, it may be in your spam box.

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.