Contractor at blown-out well ordered to halt work in Pa. as state investigates accident
By Marc Levy, APWednesday, June 9, 2010
Pa. gas well contractor ordered to halt work
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania officials are ordering a contractor on a natural gas well that blew out last week to stop some of its work, hand over records and provide access to employees.
Pennsylvania Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger said Wednesday that his agency needs to fully investigate the equipment used by the company to ensure other sites are not in danger.
The company, C.C. Forbes, is a division of Forbes Energy Services of Alice, Texas. It was hired by the well owner, Houston-based EOG Resources, to provide post-hydraulic fracturing services.
The DEP wants to interview employees who were working at the site or are familiar with the equipment.
No one was hurt in the accident, which sent natural gas and polluted water spewing into the air.
