A new landowner coalition has formed in Central New York representing landowners in Oneida and Madison counties. The coalition’s purpose is to negotiate a contract for drilling on their land for both the Marcellus Shale and potentially in the Utica Shale as well.
Chesapeake Energy experienced a blowout at a well being drilled near Canton in Bradford County, PA on Tuesday at 11:45 pm. A blowout occurs when the pressure systems fail and results (in this case) in drilling fracking fluids escaping in an uncontrolled manner. For a time the fluids from the Canton well spread over farm land and into a small stream that empties into the Towanda Creek.
Initially seven families were evacuated from the immediate area. Six of the families have now returned to their homes, but one family will need to stay relocated until the well is 100 percent under control. Crews have significantly decreased the amount of fracking fluid coming from the bore hole, but they have not yet fully stopped it.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission has just leased more land under its control for Marcellus Shale drilling: