The Morgantown Utility Board (MUB) has negotiated with the Northeast Natural Energy LLC (NNE) to update the two permits for Marcellus horizontal gas wells in or near the Morgantown Industrial Park.  These updates have been accepted by the WV Office of Oil and Gas, and they have been incorporated into the two permits, as of May 19^th.  A brief description of some of these conditions is provided below.  To read the full text of these updates, please refer to the MUB web-site, www.mub.org

Spill Containment – Drilling operations:  (1) NNE will utilize a closed loop system during fluid drilling operations for maximum control of drilling fluid / mud.  …….(3) The permanent earthen berm around the well pad will provide a third level of containment. …. (5) The volume of the lined waste pit will exceed the entire combined maximum volume of drilling fluids and tailings/mud present on site at any time.

Spill Containment – Fracking operations:  (1) The well pad liner will be expanded to conver the entire area encompassed by the earthen berm at the perimeter of the well pad, including the sumps located at each corner. …..    (2)  …..  (3)The perimeter of the well pad will be protected by a 2.5 ft. berm completely surrounding the 300 ft. X 600 ft. well pad.

Spill Prevention – Fracking operations: (1) NNE will utilize a closed loop system for maximum control of fracking fluid. (2) A second automatically activated Blow Out Preventer (BOP) will be provided to maximize control of fracking fluids.  ….. (3) …. .

Well Integrity:  Some eight (8) conditions were agreed to, including “(2) NNE will encase (with cement/grout) the full length of production casing.”  Most of the others in this category have to do with testing casing to withstand pressure(s), in one case up to 10,000 psi prior to the fracking process.

Waste Disposal:  Two conditions.  NNE will dispose of all drilling residues and fracking fluids off site; and, mainifest procedures to document such will be utilized.

Miscellaneous:  (1) Drill cuttings / fluid will NOT be mixed with fracking fluids.  (2) Drilling fluids will be water based.

The above negotiations were described in the local newspaper on May 18^th.  Many residents of Monongalia County have raised other issues and problems with the two permits in question.  The Morgantown City Council will be addressing some of these in a “Meeting of the Whole” on Tuesday, May 31^st at 7 pm in City Council Chambers, a facility with limited seating capacity for the public.