DEP continues investigation into Doddridge County drilling accident

WEST UNION, W. Va. — The state DEP continues to investigate the impact a drilling accident in Doddridge County had on the drinking water in 16 personal wells.

According to DEP Spokesperson Kelly Gillenwater, initial reports based on water samples sent in by Antero resources from 12 properties near the Primm Pad near West Union indicate five out of the 16 wells have possibly been contaminated.

While drilling for the Stella 1h Antero Resources notified the DEP’s Office of Oil and Gas of a detected gas influx on September 23. The drill had collided with the existing Callie 2h well sometime the day before, releasing methane gas underground into the water wells along with two gas wells.

A notice to cease operations and two violations were issued by the DEP for the two wells.

The leak from the Callie has been contained but monitoring continues for the well, as well as for the two other gas wells.

As is required, Antero has brought in water tanks to replace the supply from the five potentially contaminated water wells. Also, operation on the Stella and Callie remain halted.

Investigation into how the accident happened continues and Gillenwater expects the final results from tests on the water supply to be in by the end of the week.





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