- Last Updated on Friday, 31 May 2013 22:59
By Paul Chasko
EQT Corporation either owns or holds mineral interests in the area in and around Union Township and plans to conduct 3-D seismic surveys to help determine the most efficient and environmentally responsible way to develop the natural gas reserves.
EQT Corporation either owns or holds mineral interests in the area in and around Union Township and plans to conduct 3-D seismic surveys to help determine the most efficient and environmentally responsible way to develop the natural gas reserves.
According to EQT spokesperson Linda Robertson, they are focusing on an area that includes all or part of Clairton, Elizabeth, Finleyville, Monongahela, New Eagle and Carroll, Rostraver, South Park, Union and Peters townships. The timetable for the testing is late summer and autumn. EQT can’t be more specific as the study will cover such a wide area but residents will be kept informed.
This is EQT’s study but the permitting will be done by “Cougar Land Services”. The actual testing will be done by “Geokinetics”. Geokinetics has been providing seismic data processing services to the oil and gas industry for more than 30 years.
Representatives from Cougar Land Services will be contacting specific residents and land-owners to have permits approved to locate the Vibroseis trucks and/or sensors at predetermined points already mapped out by Geokinetics. The Geophones are interconnected by long cables that remain in place until testing is completed. In our area, the maps I’ve seen have the Vibroseis unit being used on or along existing highways and roads but the geophone points are nearly always on private property – hence the need for permits.
What about damage? Any history of damage to foundations, water wells and springs, could not be addressed by EQT but they claim the risk for damage is small but any damage created will be repaired or the property owner will be reimbursed. The problem is, you need before and after inspections to prove the testing created the damage. The inspections are free to the property owner.
Union Twp. has an ordinance in place addressing Geophysical/Seismic Testing – Ordinance No. 2011-1. It should help to keep energy levels within prescribed limits. The study is called the “Bunola 3D Prospect”. The Project Mgr. (Cougar Land Services) is Doug Garrett 1-800-568-3819.
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