Mr. Nathaniel Manchin (EQT Community Relations), Dave Fetty (EQT Safety) and Scott Held (EQT Safety/ Environmental) informed the local first responders of the change from the use of strictly diesel fuel to fuel their generators to provide electric for drilling purposes to the combination of diesel fuel and LNG.
Their explanation for this change is to lower costs of drilling and the fact that LNG is a cleaner fuel for them to use.
Safety precautions that will be taken during the transportation of the LNG will include having flag cars to travel with the tanker trucks after leaving and traveling to Rt 50.
They explained that LNG has a lower rate of explosion but it is cryogenic, so if there would be a leak or spill, that primary dangers would be to those who would come into direct contact with it and because it has a vapor density less than air, in the event of a uncontrolled release that it would evaporate into the air. They did caution this LNG would not contain the chemical that would give it a scent, that a leak would be evident with ice buildup.
They explained that the LNG would travel from the tank via an underground umbilicus to a trailer which would contain a overlarge radiator where the gas would be allowed to expand and warm up prior to it’s use.
The first of the rigs to use LNG will be located at the OXF 152 pad, located in Oxford and said to expect LNG deliveries once a week. First due responders would be the Greenwood VFD, with West Union VFD being 2nd, Pennsboro VFD called as 3rd and BANCS VFD 4th.
Other safety changes were discussed with the VFDS to include:
· A notification process so each first responder would have the necessary information available in the event of an emergency.
· Each EQT location will have a 911 Address which will allow easier dispatching of emergency calls and each location will be marked at the entrance road.
· They requested that first responders stage away from the well sites in the event of an emergency and only send a limited command team to the well location due to traffic trying to leave the site as responder traffic trying to respond to the site. They were told to try to meet with the control personnel upon arrival and reminded in the event of an actual rig fire, to stand back as they would not have the equipment or training to fight these type of fires.
· An extensive emergency plan that include all of the pertinent emergency contact numbers was given to the OES Director, Pat Heaster, with copies to be provided to the 911 Center and at each well location.
EQT also offered to provide a one hour class to familiarize first responders with the lingo and workings of a rig and a 6 hour well- firefighting course . Classes are to be set up at a later date.
