November 4, 2009

 

     Pennsylvania state regulators are fining a Texas company after its natural gas drilling operations polluted residential water wells near the Twin Tiers.

     The DEP says Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation is paying $120,000 in conection with its finding that gas seeped into 13 water wells in Susquehanna County. Cabot has drilled numerous wells into the Marcellus Shale formation in Pennsylvania.

     On January 1st, a water well exploded at a home near Cabot's operations, prompting the invetsigation. The DEP will now require approval of plans before Cabot can drill, and says the company must also develop a plan to permanently restore or replace the affected water supplies.