"Study Blames Methane Leaks on Faulty Well Casings"

"Problems with natural gas well construction appears to be the primary cause of drinking water contamination from shale-gas extraction, according to a new study published today by researchers from five universities.

The study did not find evidence of methane gas migrating from deep underground into residential drinking wells, an indication that neither the drilling nor “fracking” process caused contamination from those deep underground areas. But the study also left open the possibility that pressures from drilling or fracking could be contributing to or causing well casing failures closer to the surface.

“Future work should evaluate whether the large volumes of water and high pressures required for horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing influence well integrity,” said the study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences."

Ken Ward Jr. reports for the Charleston Gazette September 15, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"Well Leaks, Not Fracking, Are Linked to Fouled Water" (New York Times)

"Texas Drinking Water Tainted By Natural Gas Operations, Scientists Find" (Dallas Morning News)

"Fracking or Drinking Water? That May Become the Choice" (NBC News)