Pa. blowout report cites mistakes, training
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A consultant says rig workers’ inexcusable failure to use enough pressure-control devices led to a natural gas well blowout in Pennsylvania last month.
Consultant John Vittitow’s report released today also criticizes the drilling crew’s lack of training and proper testing of equipment.
He says he knows of no company that would cut the same corners on such a well.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection promptly ordered all companies to obey a set of safety procedures designed to prevent a repeat.
Department Secretary John Hanger is warning other companies against cutting the same corners and says the incident has been embarrassing to Texas-based EOG Resources Inc.
Explosive gas and toxic wastewater blasted out of control for 16 hours at EOG’s Marcellus Shale in rural Clearfield County in early June. No one was hurt.