As somebody who has reported for 20 years on this industry in [Alberta], I can tell you

I've met hundreds of people in this province who have signed confidentiality agreements
once their water was blown, once their livestock was killed, once a member of their
family were inured, once they lost most of their grass or their trees as a result of fouling
events, contamination events, air pollution, you name it! It is common practice in this
province to buy people out, and then buy their silence !!! so there is no record of how
this industry "uite often performs badly!
Andrew #ikiforuk presenting at a frac workshop in $ochrane, Alberta, %eptember &0, 20&&
1993 Husky Oils Gas Migration Research Effort an Update
This project began a decade ago.
It was made possible by the many seeking help and blatant refusal by people of
authority to assist or tell the truth. Without them, I may not have persisted,
even living with dangerous contamination after EnCana hydraulically fractured
my community!s drinking water a"uifers, led at the time by EnCana CE# $wyn
%organ, &ice 'resident $erard 'rotti (newly appointed by the provincial
government to chair the )lberta Energy *egulator+ and others.
I,m grateful to the journalists, scientists and participants who share their work
publicly, so that communities and water might benefit.
%any thanks to those who gave their time editing, sharing information and
sending links, reports and encouragement.
#btaining data on groundwater contamination caused by the oil and gas industry
in Canada is nearly impossible because of confidentiality agreements (non-
disclosure or gag orders+. These must be made illegal.
.ull /isclosure0 I have thirty years e1perience working in the oil and gas industry
in the western provinces of Canada and own 23 acres of land in )lberta.
Earlier editions of this report were submitted to the 4ew 5ork /epartment of
Environmental Conservation (6anuary 77, 8378+, the 9u:bec ;valuation
Environnementale <trat:gi"ue (;E<+ sur le $a= de <chiste (6anuary 7>, 8378+
and the /epartment of Enterprise, Trade ? Investment, @elfast (6une 7A, 837A+.
Bpdates will be ongoing as more contamination information becomes available.
6essica Ernst, %.<c., 'resident
Ernst Environmental <ervices
(C77CD3 )lberta Inc.+
@o1 2>A *osebud, )lberta
Canada T36 8T3
Contact
6une 7C, 837A.
(Endnote numbers are click-ableE )lt ? @ack )rrow returns you to where you were in the te1t.+
EnCana changed their name to Encana. %uch of this paper was written before the change, thus both are used.
1
#ne issue on data gaps,Fyou know shale gas, my colleagues asked the federal
governmentFwhat chemicals are being used on shale gas, and do they pose a risk to
human health and the environment. We told parliament that right now the federal
government doesn,t have a very good idea of that.
@ut, what I thought was discouraging, isFin me posing that "uestion, I was called an
environmental e1tremist both by Tom .lanagan on a C@C show and the 4ational 'ost
and I think that was a reflection of some of the bullying G unfortunately G that some
environmental groups e1perienced in asking basic "uestions about what is the state of
Canada,s environment. ...
I think what smarted with me about that phrase was, I,ve seen too many other
community-based groups right across this country working on environmental
protection to safeguard children, toFshield infants from to1ins, from carcinogens F
they,ve been called radicals.
I don,t take this at all personally, but I,ve seen a pattern of bullying and that,s what I
find is e1tremely disturbing. ...
It also makes me appreciate how important it is for public participation, for
engagement with civil society, for transparency in any environmental program, to build
up trust and avoid name calling.
<cott &aughan on his time as Canada,s Environment Commissioner
Interview on The Current, %arch 7H 837A, CBC
2
Contents
Section Page
1. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment 5
2. National Inventory of Groundater 5
!. "osen#erg International $orum on %ater Policy 5
&. 'ocumented cases of frac(ing contaminating groundater )
5. Industry and Encana advertise there are no documented cases *
). +SGS, Coal#ed methane -C.M/ develo0ment contaminated ater ells in the +S1 *
*. $ive homes at Calmar to #e destroyed #ecause of industry(s lea2ing methane *
3. "oss 'ress4$or45ess 'e0artment Store e60losion caused #y industry(s lea2ing methane *
7. 8us2y(s 177! Gas Migration "e0ort, .ig 0ro#lem9 im0ossi#le to com0letely fi6 3
1:. 'r. ;arlis Muehlen#achs and 1l#erta Energy "egulator .ulletin G.4774:) 1:

11. Increased methane in groundater ith increased drilling density 12
12. Industry caused gas migration, 1 serious< ide4s0read 0ro#lem 1!
1!. Inade=uate cement 1)
1&. It(s a orld4ide 0ro#lem 1*
15. $rac4related incidents in 1l#erta, >Massive underta2ing...millions of 0ages of records? 17
1). Ca0tured academia 17
1*. 8istoric ater ell records in 1l#erta, Most ith no gas 0resent #efore oil @ gas 21
13. C.M is hydraulically fractured< Encana says it(s not 2&
17. Ao6ic chemicals and aste dum0ing< or B5ands0raying %hile 'rillingB 2*
2:. 1l#erta(s .aseline %ater %ell Aesting Standard, Not standardiCed< not #aseline !:
21. 1dverse health effects !2
22. Ne .runsic2, $racturing ith nitroglycerin and methane lea2s into ater ells !2
2!. Nova Scotia, "adioactive frac aste !!
2&. 1=uifer dradon !!
25. 1l#erta Environment, No 0rotocol< not o#Dective !&
!
2). Numerous groundater contamination cases caused #y the oil and gas industry !&
2*. Gas migration legal case, %on #y the ater ell oners !&
23. 8utchinson< ;ansas e60losion, Industry(s gas migrated nearly * miles 2illing to !&
27. Good ater ells #ecome #etter gas ells than ater ells !5
!:. 1l#erta "esearch Council -1l#erta Innovates/, Natural methane release is rare !5
!1. .ruce Eac2 methane and ethane contaminated ater ell e60losion and others !5
!2. Fs#orne et al, 1*6 more methane in ater ells near drilled and frac(d ells !7
!!. .ain#ridge home e60losion caused #y ater ith less methane than at "ose#ud &:
!&. Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers "e0ort, 1 mgGl methane H e60losion ris2 &1
!5. If Encana at Pavillion is Balmost negligenceB< hat is EnCana at "ose#udI &!
!). Jimmerman(s contaminated ater at %etas2iin K methane< ethane and more &)
!*. Cam0#ell(s contaminated ater at Pono2a 4 methane< ethane< 0ro0ane< 82S< etc. &*
!3. %ho refuses to coo0erateI 5:
!7. 1l#erta Environment, Lent your methane contaminated ater yourself 5:
&:. 1l#erta "esearch Council -no 1l#erta Innovates/, Errors and omissions 51
&1. E"C. "e0ort, $rac(ing BaccidentallyB contaminated groundater at Grande Prairie 52
&2. E"C. "e0ort, Innisfail #lo4out caused #y frac(ing< no fines or 0unishment 5!
&!. "egulators, %ater contamination #y the oil and gas industry BneverB ha00ens 5!
&&. "egulators, Ignore science and real #aseline testing recommendations 5!
&5. Canada(s Environment Commissioner on frac(ing and chemical non4disclosure 5!
&). 1l#erta(s 1*1<::: oil and gas ells frac(d #efore 2noing the ris2s 55
&*. 1l#erta(s legally immune ne Energy "egulator ill control fresh ater 5*
&3. Conflict of Interest, Encana(s Gerard Protti a00ointed to chair 1l#erta(s ne energy regulator 5*
Aa#le 1, 'issolved Methane Concentrations in %ater %ells 'iscussed in this .rief )1
Mue#ec Ma0s, Shale Gas Moratorium Aa#led May 2:1! and 1reas Permitted to Fil and Gas )2
EndnotesG"eferences )!
E"C. 5etter to Mr. Steart Shields $reedom of Information "e=uest for $rac Incidents in 1l#erta 71
&
1. Groundater is a critical resource for nearly )::<::: 1l#ertans and 1:4million Canadians. Net good
data on a=uifers and groundater =uality remains s0arse. In 2::5 'r. Eohn Carey< 'irector General of
the National %ater "esearch Institute< told the Standing Senate Committee on Energy< the
Environment and Natural "esources that >%e ould not manage our #an2 accounts ithout
monitoring hat as in them.?
1
1l#erta and Canada no manage their groundater this ay.
1ctivities of the oil and gas industry greatly im0act groundater. Ahe +S Environmental Protection
1gency -EP1/ estimated in 1772 that 2::<::: of 1.2 million -1).*O/ a#andoned oil and gas ells in
the +S ere lea2ing and >have #ecome conduits for no6ious li=uids that #u##le u0 from dee0 #elo
the earth(s surface to 2ill cro0s and taint drin2ing ater.?
2

1ccording to a 2::2 or2sho0 s0onsored #y the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment
-CCME/< drilling sum0s< flare40its< s0ills and ru0tured 0i0elines as ell as lea2y a#andoned oil and
gas ells can all act as local sources of groundater contamination. Given that little is 2non a#out
the long4term integrity of concrete seals and steel casings in )::<::: a#andoned hydrocar#on ells in
Canada< the study added that the industryPs future im0act on groundater could #e immense. Ahe
CCME concluded that unconventional natural gas drilling such as coal#ed methane -C.M/ 0osed a
real threat to groundater =uality and =uantity< and that the nation needs >#aseline hydrogeological
investigations in coal#ed methaneQ.to #e a#le to recogniCe and trac2 groundater contaminants.?
!

The shale gas boom combined with hydraulic fracking will cause wellbores to leak more
often than run-of-the-mill conventional wells. The problem is going to get worse, not
better.
D
/r. Iarlis %uehlenbachs
Not until nine years later< in 2:11< after an 1l#erta grou0 demanded a moratorium on hydraulic
fracturing in 0aid ads in local nes0a0ers
5

)
and held a frac or2sho0
*
< did the Canadian government
announce that it ould initiate to revies -not studies/ of hydraulic fracturing< #ut only for shale gas
-not tight or shale oil< or gas from C.M and tight sands/9 one revie is #y Environment Canada< the
other #y the Council of Canadian 1cademies.
3
Ahe Council(s 1) mem#er 0anel and chair ere selected
in 2:12.
7
Aheir re0ort is #eing 0re0ared for 0eer4revie and the 0anel(s final meeting is in Eune
2:1!.
1:
In 2:1!< the Council of Canadians released results to an Access to Information Act re=uest on the
revies shoing that they rely on the Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers -C1PP/< Canada(s
largest oil and gas industry lo##y grou0< to understand chemicals used and >#etter understand industry
0lans? for using C1PP(s voluntary< unenforcea#le o0erating 0ractices.
11
2. Government documents ac=uired under the Access to Information Act #y researcher ;en "u#in
revealed that >Canadians are currently facing serious groundater =uality and availa#ility issues. Q
Ahere is no visi#le federal ater 0olicy agenda nor a common agenda for the hole country.? Ao date
only three of eight 2ey regional a=uifers have #een ma00ed and that only eleven of !: 2ey a=uifers
ill #e assessed for >volume< vulnera#ility and sustaina#ility #y 2:1:.? 1t this current rate of 0rogress
it ill ta2e another 23 years to develo0 a #asic National Inventory of groundater resources.
12
!. 1 2::* revie of 1l#erta groundater 0rograms #y the "osen#erg International $orum on %ater
Policy declared 1l#ertaPs groundater 0olicies >inade=uate? and re0orted a >lac2 of com0rehensive
monitoring systems.? Ahe re0ort added that >e60loitation of 1l#ertaPs energy resources is 0roceeding
5
at a 0ace much faster than had #een antici0ated? #ut that there had #een no 0arallel acceleration in the
0rotection of ater resources. 1 monitoring netor2 >is the last line of defense against contamination
#y industries that are essential to the economic future of the 0rovince.?
1!
Each dot and line mar2s oil activity in and around Cromer< southest Manito#a.
1&
There are too many big companies out here now, competing for monopoly. There was a
deliberate dump last year right beside a well and uphill from a nearby creek.
The company left it for the creek to clean up.
Carlyle 6orgensen, Cromer %anitoba .armer
15
&. In 173*< the +S Environmental Protection 1gency documented that hydraulic fracturing #y industry
had contaminated groundater.
1)
Ahe Ne Nor2 AimesP Ian +r#ina re0orted that more cases ere
sealed #y settlements and confidentiality agreements.
1*
1 1737 0eer4revieed 0a0er re0orted that
>hydraulic fracturing stimulation? for light oil< in several ells in a lo 0ermea#le sandstone reservoir
in southest Manito#a< 0ro0agated into the underlying ater Cone,
)
$olloing the unsuccessful stimulation of several ells in the South Pierson field here
hydraulic fractures 0ro0agated into the underlying ater Cone< a com0rehensive re4evaluation
and detailed design effort as im0lemented to minimiCe the 0otential for ater 0roduction. ...
Ideally< the hydraulic fracture created should e6tend laterally ithin the Cone of interest<
hoever< it is ell 2non that su#stantial vertical fracture 0ro0agation may also occur<
significantly im0acting the success of the treatment. Com0licating factors such as underlying
ater Cones or overlying gas sections can #e easily 0enetrated and su#se=uently reduce or
eliminate any sought after oil 0roduction. ... 1dditional motivation for control of fracture
height groth as to increase the effectiveness of the treatment #y decreasing the e6tension
into non40roducing intervals and to reduce the over4all cost of the treatments.
13

5. In 2:1:< the Canadian oil and gas industry advertised, >$act, $racturing has not #een found to have
caused damage to groundater resources?
17
and EnCana advertised a year later, >In use for more than
): years throughout the oil and gas industry< there are no documented cases of groundater
contamination related to the hydraulic fracturing 0rocess.?
2:
). In the +S1< #y the early 177:Ps numerous ater contamination cases and lasuits had s0rung u0 in
coal#ed methane -C.M/ develo0ment areas.
21
>In a to4year study< +nited States Geological Survey
-+S Geological Survey/ scientists found methane gas in one4third of ater ells ins0ected and
concluded that oil and gas drilling is the main source of contamination of the shallo a=uifers in the
1nimas "iver Lalley.... .ased in 0art on the R+S Geological SurveyS re0ort< layers re0resenting
hundreds of area residents filed a class4action lasuit $e#. 11 charging four oil com0anies 4 1moco
Production Com0any< Meridian Fil Inc.< Southland "oyalty Com0any< and Philli0s Petroleum 4 ith
rec2lessness and deli#erate disregard for the safety of local residents. Ahe suit says the four oil
com0anies ignored their tests< hich shoed that methane from their dee0 ells as 0olluting shallo
a=uifers< and as2s for #oth actual and 0unitive damages.?
22
*. Industry and the 1l#erta government have re0orted lea2age of gas and other contaminants into
groundater and atmos0here from old or a#andoned oil and gas facilities for decades. In 2::3< three
ells drilled and a#andoned in the 5:Ps and ):Ps #y Ae6aco< #ut the res0onsi#ility of Im0erial Fil after
the to com0anies merged< ere found lea2ing ithin the ton limits of Calmar< 1l#erta. -Ahere are a
total of 2) energy ells ithin the ton limits./ Fne lea2ing ell as found in a 0layground
surrounded #y homes< another as found #ecause of #u##ling gas in a 0uddle ne6t to an elementary
school. $our homes ere demolished to allo a rig in to re4a#andon and seal the ells< and the
families relocated.
2!
1nother family is suing #ecause the com0any is refusing to 0ay fair mar2et
value.
2&

>Ahe controversy has led to =uestions a#out other 1l#erta neigh#ourhoods. ....many residents in 5educ
County are also living near gas ell sites and aren(t even aare of it. ... 1nother ell site as found
under the 0avement of a cul4de4sac in 5educ County. ... 1n em0loyee ith the Aon of Calmar says it
is common 0ractice to #uild 0ar2s and roads on to0 of ell sites< #ut not homes.?
25
3. >5ate in the afternoon of March 2&< 1735< methane gas that had #een accumulating ignited in an
au6iliary room of the "oss 'ress4$or45ess 'e0artment Store...in...5os 1ngeles. Ahe resulting
e60losion #le out the indos and 0artially colla0sed the roof of the structure< reduced the store
interior to a hea0 of tisted metal and resulted in inDuries re=uiring hos0ital treatment of tenty4three
0eo0le. Police closed off four #loc2s around an eerie scene of s0outing gas flames that continued
through the night. ... Ahe Aas2 $orce then ent on to 0resent a scenario of shallo (#iogenic( methane
*
#eing dis0laced and 0ressuriCed #y a rising ater ta#le....an imaginative e60lanation.... Arou#lesome
legal issues ere eliminated #y this conclusion< the implication being that the methane hazard
could exist virtually anywhere, so no human agency was at fault for its workings.?
2)
REm0hasis
addedS
Nears after a class action lasuit as settled out of court ith gag orders< further study revealed that
corroded< lea2ing energy ell #ore casing and high 0ressure inDections ere at fault< not #iogenic
methane or sam0 gas and a rising ater ta#le,
InDection as at surface 0ressures of u0 to **: R0ounds 0er s=uare inchS giving rise to a
gradient of a#out :.* 0siGft ithin the su#surface near the 0oint of inDection. %e conclude that
this resulted in e0isodic fracturing of the Ahird Street fault. Q Clearly the 0henomenon of
methane venting in the ur#an environment can #e haCardousQ.
2*

Ahe studies continue,
Ignoring these issues could result in su#stantial legal lia#ility u0on oilfield o0erator and u0on
those res0onsi#le for the 0u#lic safety. ... Lirtually all ell lea2s can #e traced to 0oor ell
com0letion andGor a#andonment 0rocedures -e.g.< 0oor cementing 0ractices/. ... Aests shoed
that even hen the most u04to date cement ty0es and techni=ues are used< lea2age can and ill
occur in a significant num#er of cases.... Numerous fields have accumulations of hydrogen
sulfide that ill eventually destroy the integrity of #oth the steel and cement relied u0on to
0rovide 0rotection against gas migration.... Ahe corrosive conditions of hydrogen sulfide are
ell 2non< and have defied engineering solutions.... Ahe aterflooding for enhanced oilfield
recovery can #e a dangerous 0ractice due to hydraulic fracturing hich ould create avenues
for the migration of gas to the surface creating an e60losive haCard.
23

7. 1 8us2y 177! re0ort
27
states, >Gas migration has received increasing attention in recent
yearsQ.industry and regulators have #ecome more cogniCant RofS the 0ro#lem< in terms of the
num#ers of ells affected< the 0otential cost to address the 0ro#lems and the technical difficulty of
com0letely sto00ing the lea2ageQ.the e60ected costs to eliminate gas migration are T!::<::: 0er site
overall.? 8us2y re0orted that >roughly half the ells? in the area they studied ere affected #ut >little
consistent data as o#tained ith res0ect to the causes of the 0ro#lem or hat might #e done a#out
itQa technical solution hich totally eliminates the 0ro#lem may never #e 0ossi#le.? 8us2y as2ed if
0art of the gas migration 0ro#lem is caused #y >natural sources? or #iogenic sam0 gas using industry
ell#ores as conduits. -"efer also to $igure 1 on Page 7./
Ahe National Energy .oard re0orts that unconventional drilling and hydraulic fracturing in Canada
targets >#iogenic? and thermogenic methane, >$or e6am0le< the natural gas 0roduced from the Second
%hite S0ec2s Shale of 1l#erta and Sas2atchean comes from shallo #urial -it is shallo enough
that gas is still #eing generated #y #acteria/< hile the natural gas from the 'evonian 8orn "iver
.asin and Ariassic Montney shales as generated during dee0 #urial. Ahe +tica Shale of Mue#ec has
#oth shallo and dee0 sections and there is 0otential for #oth #iogenic and thermogenic natural gas<
res0ectively.?
!:

In Sas2atchean< >shallo< #iogenic tight4shale<? is targeted >from !:: to *:: m. .iogenic gas is
methane 0roduced #y #acteria feeding on the organic matter contained in the shale. ... Ahe 0lus side of
targeting shallo #iogenic shale gas rather than the dee0er shales that are often more 0rolific
3
177! Schematic from, 8us2y FilPs Gas Migration "esearch Effort K an +0date
7
reservoirs< is the shalloer resource has loer drilling costs. Q .ut the shallo 0lay also has its
challenges...Ahere are a 0ile of clays K and they are susce0ti#le to ater im#i#ition and selling K that
can cause serious reservoir 0ro#lems.?
!1
1:. 'r. ;arlis Muehlen#achs< geoscientist at the +niversity of 1l#erta< develo0ed the techni=ue of
sourcing industry4caused lea2s< namely Surface Casing Lent $lo -SCL$/ and Gas Migration -GM/<
using sta#le car#on isoto0ic analysis or isoto0ic finger0rinting of the gases.
In 1777< the 1l#erta energy regulator< then the 1l#erta Energy and +tilities .oard -E+./< no the
Energy "esources Conservation .oard -E"C.
!2
/< released .ulletin G.4774:) recommending his
techni=ue, >Aherefore< the RE+.S and Sas2atchean Energy and Mines -SEM/ are 0re0ared to acce0t
the use and validity of this method on a site s0ecific #asis. 'evelo0ment and availa#ility of high
=uality regional data#ases< containing inter0reted analytical and geological information< are necessary
0rere=uisites to defensi#le< e6tra0olated diagnoses for SCL$GGM 0ro#lems. Ahe need to involve
=ualified e60ertise is also necessary.?
!!
In 2::*< the E+. 0resented that the >shalloer< u00er 0art? of industry ell #ores -here much of the
#iogenic gas is/ have >higher 0otential for lea2age? than dee0 0roduction Cones,
!&

1 study #y GSI Environmental Inc. and Ca#ot Fil and Gas Cor0. released in May 2:1! on the
methane migration 0ro#lems in Sus=uehanna County< Pennsylvania< >suggests that gases 0resent in
local ater ells are most consistent ith Middle and +00er 'evonian gases sam0led in the annular
s0aces of local gas ells< as o00osed to Marcellus 0roduction gases.?
!5

1:
In 2:11< 'r. Muehlen#achs 0resented in %ashington -slides included #elo/ that more than *:O of
casing gases come from intermediate layers of energy ell #ores< not the target Cone,
!)

...
11
Industry re0orts that the methane they are targeting in shallo shales< coals and tight sands is #iogenic
or >natural?9 *G* of the industry coal#ed methane -C.M/ ells -com0leted #eteen a#out 25: and *!:
m #elo surface/ in 1l#erta studied #y the E"C. contained #iogenic methane.
!*
11. Ahe Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers -C1PP/< founded and chaired for 1) years #y Mr.
Gerard E. Protti< a 0ast EnCana e6ecutive< noted the 0ro#lem of methane migration dramatically
increased hen drilling density increased.
!3
Ahis trend has also #een re0orted in the +nited States.
!7

1l#erta researchers re0orted natural gas lea2age along ell #ores of a#out 5:O of oil ells in estern
Canada.
&:
C1PP also re0orted that ell #ores ere lea2ing gas and contaminating groundater<
&1
and
high #uildu0 0ressures may force gas into underground ater a=uifers
&2
years #efore the ne
>e60erimental? high 0ressure< densely drilled hydraulic fracturing #egan.
Ahe +S Environmental Protection 1gency -EP1/ revieed im0acts to groundater from hydraulic
fracturing as it 0ertains to C.M 0roduction,
$racturing fluids inDected into the target coal Cone flo into fractures under very high 0ressure.
Ahe hydraulic gradients driving fluid flo aay from the ell during inDection are much
greater than the hydraulic gradients 0ulling fluid flo #ac2 toards the 0roduction ell during
flo#ac2 and 0roduction 0um0ing. Some 0ortion of the coal#ed methane fracturing fluids
could be forced along the hydraulically induced fracture to a point beyond the capture
zone of the production well. Ahe siCe of the ca0ture Cone ill #e affected #y the regional
groundater gradients< as ell as #y the dradon caused #y the ell.
If fracturing fluids have been injected to a point outside of the wells capture zone, they
will not be recovered through production pumping and, if mobile, may be available to
migrate through an auifer.
&!
REm0hasis addedS
1 0eer4revieed 0a0er 0u#lished in Marine and Petroleum Geology - the lead author is the 'irector of
Durham Energy Institute - studied vertical fracture 0ro0agation from a limited dataset,
Ahe ma6imum re0orted height of an u0ard 0ro0agating hydraulic fracture from several
thousand fracturing o0erations in the Marcellus< .arnett< %oodford< Eagleford and Nio#rara
shale -+S1/ is U533 m. Ff the 11*: natural hydraulic fracture 0i0es imaged ith three4
dimensional seismic data offshore of %est 1frica and mid4Noray it is U11:) m. ...
Constraining the 0ro#a#ility of stimulating unusually tall hydraulic fractures in sedimentary
roc2s is e6tremely im0ortant as an evidence #ase for decisions on the safe vertical se0aration
#eteen the de0th of stimulation and roc2 strata not intended for 0enetration. ...
'es0ite the limitations of the datasets it is clear most of the natural hydraulic fractures re0orted
here are 2:: 4 &:: m in height and that very fe natural fracture systems re0orted to date
0ro0agate #eyond a height of *:: m. Ahe tallest is 11:) m< hich is com0ara#le to the
tallest inDectites documented. ...
5Vseth et al. -2:11/ re0orted that 0ressure 0roWles from the inDection ell sho a ste0ise
fracturing of the over#urden and that fractures actually 0ro0agated for 7:: m reaching the
surface -the sea#ed/.
&&

12
Ahe E"C.(s Ste0han .achu and inde0endent consultant Aeresa %atson -later a00ointed to the .oard/
0resented in Paris< $rance that an increase in the num#er of ater ells in heavily fractured oil and
gas fields increases >the li2elihood that gas< due to migration through shallo Cones< can accumulate
in #uildings.?
&5
1 fe years later< $rance #ecame the first country to ma2e frac(ing illegal.
&)
12. In Mue#ec< as of Eanuary 2:12< more than 5:O of !1 ne shale ells ins0ected -1: had #een frac(d/<
are lea2ing natural gas9 the regulator ordered the lea2s re0aired< the com0anies tried #ut failed.
&*

Isoto0ic analysis #y 'r. Muehlen#achs of ater sam0les sent to him #y Aalisman indicated that
groundater in Mue#ec as already contaminated<
&3
>from a geological 0oint of vie< the shale as
sealed !:: million years ago< he says. >1nd then man intervened.?
&7
Aalisman later re0orted in the
media that the gas contaminated ater as rainater.
5:
'r. Muehlen#achs u0dated a 0resentation he
gave in %ashington ith this ne information.
51

In $e#ruary 2:12< an agricultural e60ert as2ing for health information a#out ingesting methane< sent
Ernst a 0hoto of hite groundater 4 0ossi#ly caused #y a high concentration of methane 4 at a cattle
0roducer(s o0eration near shale ells in Mue#ec. It as suggested that the methane as naturally
occurring.
52
In 2::7< Canada(s National Energy .oard re0orted on the shales in Mue#ec,
.iogenic gas can #e found in the +tica in shallo areas< hile thermogenic methane can #e
found in medium4dee0 and structured shales.... Ahe reservoir has an advantage over others in
that it is folded and faulted< hich increases the 0otential for the 0resence of natural
fractures.... Fnly a handful of ells have #een drilled in the +tica< most of them vertical.
5!
1 Mue#ec Ministry of the Environment 2:12 ins0ection re0ort o#tained seven months later #y the
local grou0 >Ensem#le 0our l(avenir dura#le du Grand Gas0X? via $reedom of Information admits that
natural gas is lea2ing to surface near the 8aldimand 1 PXtrolia oil ell drilled in Gas0X. 5ea2s ere
detected &!m and 5::m from the oil ell< and in the field near to government research monitoring
ater ells. -Similarly< in Ne Nor2 State< documents o#tained via $reedom of Information sho that
State ins0ectors found a ne unfrac(d vertical shale gas ell lea2ing in the Aon of Fego and did
not advise the 0u#lic.
5&
/
Ahe Mue#ec regulator has not yet ta2en sam0les of the gas at surface or the groundater for isoto0ic
finger0rinting and has not arned the community of the lea2s.
55
Ahe regulator re0ort suggests that the
gas could #e >#iogenic?.
5)

1 PXtrolia 2::) 0ress release on 8aldimand 1 states,
Ahe ell seems to have 0enetrated an over40ressuriCed Cone of 0ermea#le roc2s containing
gas< salt ater and oil.
5*
Ahe PXtrolia e#site currently claims,
.ased on data gathered since 173)< PXtrolia and MuX#Xnergie #elieve traditional 0roduction is
feasi#le on the 8aldimand de0osit. Ahis means hydraulic fracturing ill not #e necessary.
53

1!
Com0any 0ress releases on the e#site indicate that fluids have #een inDected< and media re0orts
indicate that frac(ing is re=uired.
57
PXtrolia used Section 25 of the $reedom of Information la to
0revent citiCens from accessing information on a methane lea2 detected at an e60loratory oil ell on
1nticosti Island.
):

In 'ecem#er 2:12< the ton of Gas0X< anting to 0rotect its drin2ing ater su00ly and groundater<
ado0ted a #yla 0rohi#iting anyone from introducing underground >any su#stance that could alter the
=uality of the underground or surface ater? used for human or animal consum0tion ithin 1:
2ilometres of a munici0al surface ater su00ly site and to 2ilometres from any ton ell.
)1

PXtroliaPs drill sites are a#out 5 2ilometres from the ton. In 10ril 2:1!< PXtrolia >filed a motion for
declaratory Dudgment ith the Mue#ec Su0erior Court as2ing that a #yla ado0ted #y the ton 'ec.
17 #e declared invalid.?
)2
May 15< 2:1!< the Mue#ec government ta#led legislation to im0ose a five year moratorium on
e60loration for shale gas in the St. 5arence "iver valley.
)!
Ahe legislation allos frac(ing elsehere<
for e6am0le< on the Gaspsie Peninsula and Anticosti Island. It re=uires hydrogeological studies
-0aid for #y the government/< groundater monitoring ells near energy ells and frac(ing must #e
dee0er than )::m #elo ground surface if more than 5:<::: litres -5: m!/ of fluid is inDected.
)&

Significant citiCen and community 0rotest ensued< nota#ly #ecause the moratorium ill not #e
0rovince4ide -refer to the ma0s on Page )2/ and the legislation only regulates ater su00ly
0rotection set4#ac2s to !::m surface distance from frac(ing -#ut only for ells used #y humans and
for food 0rocessing< ells used for atering livestoc2 ill not #e 0rotected/< disregarding the
>"Yglement dit de Saint4.onaventure? #yla voted in #y )& munici0alities to 0rotect their drin2ing
ater.
)5

Ahe >"Yglement dit de Saint4.onaventure? #yla set #ac2s are,
to 2ilometres for ells 0roviding ater for 2: 0eo0le or less9
si6 2ilometres for munici0al ells or ells 0roviding ater for more than 2: 0eo0le9
ten 2m for surface ater ithdraal locations in a atercourse.
))

1 2::3 revie of investigations in a heavily drilled coal#ed methane -C.M/ field in Colorado
concluded, >Ahere is a tem0oral trend of increasing methane in groundater sam0les over the last
seven years coincident ith the increased num#er of gas ells installed in the study area.?
)*
In 2::7<
the Society of Petroleum Engineers 0u#lished a 0eer revieed 0a0er that stated >in areas of high ell
density< ell4to4ell cross flo may occur in a single ell lea2ing to surface through many near#y
ell#ores.?
)3

CanadaPs National Energy .oard re0orted that only 2:O of fractured gas is recovera#le9
)7
>the
circulating gas left #ehind ill threaten the ater Mue#ecers drin2 and could Deo0ardiCe agriculture.?
*:
1 2:12 0eer4revieed 0a0er summariCes some common causes of gas migration,
1t the time of drilling the ell< many fractures are formed oing to the 0ercussion activity of
the drill #it. In addition< cementing o0erations 0ressuriCe the ell#ore further ith the 0otential
of creating additional fractures. 'uring the cement s=ueeCing o0erations< the ell#ore may #e
even further hydraulically fractured. Ahese vertical fractures may e6tend for tens of feet from
the ell#ore de0ending u0on the characteristics of the formation and the inDection 0ressures
used for 0lacement of the cement. Ahe cement ill fill some of the larger fractures surrounding
1&
the casing< #ut the cement 0articles cannot enter the smaller fractures aay from the ell#ore.
Ahe end result is that a fracture system is created 0arallel to the ell#ore forming a 0otential
0ath for the migration of gas.
1cidiCing< a common 0ractice in revitaliCing oilells< causes acid to enter the 0ore channels
and fractures of the reservoir< usually under high 0ressure< fracturing and etching -idening/ of
0re4e6isting fractures. Fver time< the ring of cement around the ell casing is damaged #y
deformation -caused #y tectonic and seismic movements and su#sidence oing to oilfield
o0erations/ and #y chemical decom0osition. $ormation fluids usually corrode #oth the cement
and casing< generating additional 0aths for future migration of gas and fluids #y #rea2ing don
the intended cement seal. Ahe #rea2don of the cement can o0en 0aths for the flo of gas and
li=uid #ehind the casing. Corrosion also results in casing lea2s -holes/. ...
1ny holes in the casing and the surrounding cement sheath in the annular s0ace #eteen the
casing and the ell#ore< ithin the calculated >Cone of esca0e<? ill result in gas lea2ing out
of the ell#ore and then toard the surface.
*1
1 0a0er #y 'r. .ar# Ailley and 'r. Muehlen#achs in a recent Proceedings from International Network
of Environmental Forensics onference analyCed industry and government data on lea2ing energy
ells causing gas contaminated ater ells in numerous communities in 1l#erta< including "ose#ud,
Ahe various levels of ell casings designed to 0rotect against gas migration are illustrated.
8oever< the numerous surface casing vent flo gases that e have analyCed indicate that the
release of hydrocar#on gases to the shallo environment occurs regardless. Gas 0roduction is
from multi0le coal seams that are fractured and the gases from several coal horiCons are
generally commingled. Ahe car#on isoto0ic com0osition of gases from ater ells -seven from
"ose#ud itself< 1* from 0resumed 0ristine ater ells/ are com0ared to oil field gases
-0roduction gases from ! different de0th intervals< shallo Rcoal#ed methane -C.M/S ells<
and surface casing vent flos -SCL/ ithin a &: 2m radius of the hamlet of "ose#ud....
Ahe ide range in Z1!C values of SCL gas indicates that there is a history of 0ro#lem gas flo
from a ide range of de0ths in this area. Com0arison of the Z1!C values of methane and
ethane for gas from the 0ro#lem ater ells in "ose#ud ith the calculated mi6ing curves of
$igure 1: shos that gases of aters from all seven ells have mi6ed ith either C.M or the
dee0er 0roduction gases.
*2

1 2:1! 0eer4revieed study found correlation #eteen coal#ed methane -C.M/ ells and radon
concentrations in the atmos0here and that radon >may #e useful in monitoring enhanced soil gas
flu6es to the atmos0here due to changes in the geological structure associated ith ells and hydraulic
fracturing in RC.MS fields.?
*!
"adon concentrations ere found to #e >a00ro6imately three times
higher in areas ith high densities of RC.MS ells than those areas ith lo densities.?
*&
1n ongoing
Southern Cross +niversity study re0orted three times the level of methane in the C.M field of Aara
than outside it and sus0ects that >de0ressurisation -frac2ing< groundater 0um0ing/ of the coal seams
during gas e6traction changes the soil structure -i.e.< crac2s< fissures/ that enhance the release of
greenhouse gases such as methane and car#on dio6ide.?
*5
1 2:1! re0ort #y EP1 again ran2s the oil and gas industry as to0 contri#utor of methane 0ollution in
the +S<
*)
and a 2:1! 0eer4revieed study >identified that 3 0ercent of the methane emissions in the
15
5.1. #asin is due to lea2s from the oil and gas industry< hich corres0onds to a 1* 0ercent lea2 rate for
the 5os 1ngelesKarea oil and gas o0erations.?
**

Isoto0ic finger0rinting of several a=uifer gas sam0les collected over a decade ago for Im0erial Fil in
the Cold 5a2e area >indicate a contri#ution of hydrocar#ons from dee0er geologic strata that reflect
2non releases of 0roduction fluids from lea2s in ell casing.?
*3

In 2::)< a ater sam0ling com0any noted that natural gas lea2s from surface casing vents in estern
Canada had >the 0otential to contaminate ground4ater< 2ill vegetation and #ecome a safety
concern.?
*7
1 2::2 field study #y Arican %ell Service and 8us2y Energy re0orted that the 0ercentage
of lea2ing ells ranged from 12O in the Aangleflag area in eastern 1l#erta to as high as 3:O in the
1##ey gas field in southern 1l#erta.
3:

In 2::&< the E"C. re0orted that the num#er of lea2ing gas ells in the %a#anum 5a2e area increased
from none in 177: to more than 1&: in 2::&.
31

Schlum#erger %ell Cementing Services re0orts gas migration 0ro#lems at 25O in 1l#ertaPs heavy oil
fields.
32
Ahe E"C. re0orted in 1777 that there ere >!31: ells ith active surface casing vent flo
and 31& ith gas migration 0ro#lems in 1l#erta<?
3!
#ut no longer ma2es this data 0u#lic.
1 0eer revieed 0a0er
3&
0u#lished #y the Society of Petroleum Engineers< co4authored #y the E"C.<
states that the regulator >records ell lea2age at the surface as surface4casing4vent flo -SCL$/
through ell#ore annuli and gas migration -GM/ outside the casing< as re0orted #y industry? and
maintains information on >casing failures? #ut that details are >not 0u#licly availa#le.? Ahe 0a0er
re0orts that >SCL$ is commonly encountered in the oil and gas industryQ.high #uildu0 0ressures
may 0otentially force gas into underground ater a=uifers? and that soil GM occurs hen dee0 or
shallo gas migrates u0 outside the ell#ore >through 0oorly cemented surface casing.? Ahe 0a0er
concludes that factors affecting wellbore leakage !can be generalized and applied to other basins
and"or jurisdictions.# REm0hasis addedS
Ahe E"C.(s 2:11 $ield Surveillance "e0ort notes that ell#ore lea2age and methane migration are
routine matters of >high ris2 noncom0liance? voluntarily disclosed to the regulator.
35

5es, the industry,s own researchers found that a substantial percentage of wells leak
initially, an even higher percentage of wells leak eventually, and now more wells are
leaking than in the pastE the process is getting worse, not better.
.ractured .uture
86
1!. Nearly to decades ago 8us2y Fil advised that e6tensive gas lea2age from oil and gas ells in
eastern 1l#erta as largely due to >inade=uate cementing.?
3*
1 2::1 1ustralian study that
investigated the causes of cement failure in industry ells concluded 0oor cement or2 0oses a
central ris2 to a=uifers.
33
Ahe causes of cement failure include high cement 0ermea#ility< shrin2age
and car#onation< as ell as formation damage. 1 2:1: government study of the Aara rural residential
estate area in Mueensland re0orted &&O of coal seam gas or coal#ed methane -C.M/ ells lea2ing.
37

Cement 0ulsation researchers re0orted that 15O of 0rimary cement Do#s fail< costing the oil and gas
industry a#out half a #illion dollars annually< ith a#out one4third of the failures >attri#uta#le to gas
migration or formation ater flo during 0lacement and transition of the cement to set.?
7:
Ahe
1)
industry 0u#lication Gas!IP" re0orted, >1 chronic 0ro#lem for the oil and gas industry is failure to
achieve reservoir isolation as a result of 0oor 0rimary cement Do#s< 0articularly in gas ells....remedial
s=ueeCe treatment is e60ensive and treating 0ressures may #rea2don the formation? and that there
are areas in 1l#erta and Sas2atchean that have historically had gas migration 0ro#lems< >on average
5*O of gas ells develo0 gas migration after the 0rimary cement Do#.?
71
1&. 1l#erta industry data shos that >ell#ore deviation is a maDor factor affecting overall ell4#ore
lea2age? and that in the test area a#out ):O of deviated ells ere found lea2ing< a#out 5:O more
than the area average< cement slum0ing and casing centraliCation ere suggested reasons hy. Ahe
data also shos a strong correlation #eteen the 0ercentage of ells lea2ing and oil 0rice.
72
Ahe E"C. re0orted that shallo hydraulic fracturing is >high ris2?
7!
and in their original 'irective
:2* that shallo fracturing harmed oilfield ells -#y communication events/ and information
0rovided #y industry >shos there may not alays #e a com0lete understanding of fracture
0ro0agation at shallo de0ths and that 0rograms are not alays su#Dect to rigorous engineering
design.?
7&
E6am0les of shallo frac communication events ere filed ith the E"C..
75

In 2:1:< the .ritish Colum#ia Fil and Gas Commission released a Safety 1dvisory #ecause of dee0
fracture communication incidents< 13 in .ritish Colum#ia< one in estern 1l#erta. Ahe 1dvisory
states,
1 large 2ic2 as recently ta2en on a ell #eing horiContally drilled for unconventional gas
0roduction in the Montney formation. Ahe 2ic2 as caused #y a fracturing o0eration #eing
conducted on an adDacent horiContal ell. $racture sand as circulated from the drilling
ell#ore< hich as )*:m from the ell#ore undergoing the fracturing o0eration.... $racture
fluids introduced into 0roducing ells results in sus0ended 0roduction< su#stantial remediation
costs and 0ose a 0otential safety haCard. Incidents have occurred in horiContal ells ith
se0aration distances #eteen ell #ores ranging from 5:m to *15m.
$racture propagation via large scale hydraulic fracturing operations has proven difficult
to predict. %xisting planes of weakness in target formations may result in fracture lengths
that exceed initial design expectations.
7)
REm0hasis addedS
Fne of the Safety 1dvisory recommendations is that >o0erators coo0erate through notifications and
monitoring of all drilling and com0letion o0erations here fracturing ta2es 0lace ithin 1:::m of
ell #ores e6isting or currently #eing drilled.? Ahis safety recommendation is not ado0ted #y either
the 1l#erta or .ritish Colum#ia regulator for shallo or dee0 fracture o0erations near farms< homes<
ater ells< munici0al ater su00ly toers< fire halls< 0olice stations< churches< non oil and gas
#usinesses< communities< hos0itals< 0ar2s< schools< etc. and re=uests for such to com0anies and
regulators #y concerned citiCens< communities or munici0alities have #een ignored or denied.
In Novem#er 2:11< the .ritish Colum#ia Fil and Gas Commission admitted to Pro0u#lica that 25 frac
communication events had #een voluntarily re0orted since 2::7. >Com0anies are not re=uired to
re0ort such events.?
7*
In March 2:11< at an EP1 frac or2sho0< 'en#ury "esources 0resented and
concluded, >Even ith the tools availa#le to 0erform fracture diagnostics o0erators are still faced ith
challenges that are difficult to 0redict. &s well density increases it becomes increasingly probable
that wells will communicate either through previously created fractures or through adjacent
wellbores and then into previously created fractures.?
73
REm0hasis addedS
1*
In Eanuary 2:12< after the Innisfail frac #lo4out ->0ressure that #uilt u0 in one esca0ed to the other
#ore4hole? and >frac2ing fluid lea2ed to the surface?
77
/< the E"C. released a list of dee0< horiContal
frac communication events in 1l#erta -e6cluding shallo andGor vertical events/ #ut did not 0ost this
information on their e#site,
Since 2::3< almost 2<::: ells have #een drilled in 1l#erta that utiliCed horiContal< multi4
stage< hydraulic fracturing to enhance oil and gas recovery. Ff these< more than )&: ere gas
ells and almost 1<!:: ere oil ells. Ahe E"C. has confirmed five instances of hydraulic
fracturing im0acting near#y energy ells.
Fne frac communicated 1<):: metres -one mile/ surface distance #eteen ells< another< &*: metres
su#surface distance #eteen ells.
1::
'isclosure in 1l#erta is voluntary. In Eanuary 2:12< the regulator
released .ulletin 2:124:2 arning industry,
Ahe E"C. fully e60ects licensees to maintain ell control at all times so as not to im0act the
environment< 0u#lic safety< and efficient recovery of the resource and to 0revent adverse
effects to offset energy ell#ores. Ahe E"C. reminds industry that it is o#ligated to 0lan safe
and effective hydraulic fracturing o0erations and re0ort any unintentional communication
#eteen energy ell#ores. 5icensees are reminded that in maintaining ell control< they are
re=uired to 0revent adverse effects to offset ell#ores through a00ro0riate 0lanning.
1:1

Ahe E"C. had already arned industry this in 2::) hen it as the E+.,
1:2
Ahe E+. e60ects licensees to conduct all drilling and com0letion o0erations at any de0th ith
technical due diligence and in com0liance ith E+. re=uirements. Ahe E+. also #elieves it is
0rudent for industry to carefully design and monitor fracturing o0erationsQ. 1dditionally< all
fracture treatments mustQnot reach any other ell#ore< including #oth oilfield ells and ater
ells< at any 0oint during the 0rocess of fracturing.
1:!
Ahe E"C. admitted that 21 dee0 frac communication events had occurred in 2:12 alone,
Curran says that since the E"C. #egan monitoring interell#ore communication this year<
there have #een 21 incidents< #ut they rarely cause damage. Q Curran says geologists
understand the technology and its 0otential conse=uences =uite ell< and that the E"C. is not
struggling to align rule4changes ith a 0oorly develo0ed science. >8ydraulic fracturing as a
technology is very ell understood< and itPs #een a00lied here e6tensively in 1l#erta over our
historyQ. AherePs #een over 1*1<::: ells that have #een hydraulically fractured in 1l#erta
since the 0ractice #egan in the 175:s<? he says.
1:&
In 2::)< the international #
nd
$ell %ore Integrity Network MeetingPs first 2ey conclusion started ith,
'here is clearly a problem with well bore integrity in existing oil and gas production
wells, worldwide.
1:5
REm0hasis addedS
Ahe .ritish Colum#ia energy regulator recently re0orted 2*2 earth=ua2es directly caused #y hydraulic
fracturing over a three year 0eriod. Fne caused such e6tensive damage to the ell #ore it could not #e
com0leted.
1:)
In the +; in 2:11< to earth=ua2es< #oth >located close to the 0oint of inDection<? ere
also caused #y hydraulic fracturing.
1:*
Ahe cumulative im0acts and ris2s to ell #ore integrity from
13
earth=ua2es caused #y fracturing and associated activities< chemical interactions and re0eat multi4Cone
0erforations and high 0ressure hydraulic fracturing events have not #een studied in Canada< or
anyhere in the orld.

15. 1 2:11 Euro0ean +nion study on 0ossi#le im0acts of hydraulic fracturing concluded that it is >high
ris2? if not done right ith >0ossi#le high ris2 for environmental damages and haCards to human
health even hen a00lied 0ro0erly...?
1:3

Ahe E"C. 1ssociate General Counsel res0onded to a citiCen(s 1ccess to Information re=uest on >each
and every #lo4out< frac4out< communication event< and or loss of control or 0ressure during
com0letion< 0erforating< acidiCing< hydraulic fracturing and or stimulating of energy ells? #y
threatening to a00ly to 1l#erta(s Information and Privacy Commissioner for authoriCation to disregard
the access re=uest >on the #asis that it is unclear< frivolous and ve6atious? unless the re=uest as
narroed or clarified.
(esponding to such a reuest would reuire a massive undertaking on the part of the
%(C)* potentially in the order of millions of pages of records.
1:7
REm0hasis addedS
1 Pennsylvania nes0a0er filed a "ight to ;no re=uest to the 'e0artment of Environmental
Protection -'EP/ for records on ater contamination caused #y the oil and gas industry. Ahe 'EP
refused to release the records for a variety of reasons< including claiming that the records are not
trac2ed.
11:
Ahis as challenged #y the 0a0er and the 'EP as ordered to release the records under
"ight to ;no 5a. Ahe 'EP a00ealed the order to the Commonealth Court< claiming the 0a0er(s
re=uest as too #road and #urdensome. Ahe Court ruled against the 'EP and the 0a0er o#tained and
summariCed the records,
111
>oil and gas drilling had damaged 1)1 ater su00lies #eteen 2::3 and
2:12< ground4#rea2ing information that the 'EP should #e a#le to 0rovide to the 0u#lic as a matter of
course.?
112

Ernst tried for four years via $reedom of Information to o#tain 0u#lic records on methane
contaminated ater ells in 1l#erta< inning a 2:12 order
11!
to receive the records< only to #e refused
#y 1l#erta Environment #ecause of the lasuit.
11&

They,ll frack each well up to 83 times. Each time the pressure will shudder and bang the
pipes in the wellbore. The cement is hard and the steel is soft. If you do it all the time
you are going to break bonds and cause leaks. It,s a real major issue.
77>
/r. Iarlis %uehlenbachs
1). 1 re0ort released in 2:12 #y the Energy Institute at the +niversity of Ae6as called for more science on
hydraulic fracturing and re0orted that a >lac2 of #aseline studies in areas of shale gas develo0ment
ma2es it difficult to evaluate the long4term< cumulative effects and ris2s associated ith hydraulic
fracturing.?
11)

>5ea2s in 0art of the ell #ore could mean gas getting into ater ells near#y. .ut the same thing
ha00ens in conventional gas 0roduction. Q%e havenPt found any community here ins0ection
0ractices< 0re4develo0ment conditions< monitoring of develo0ment and 0ost4develo0ment assessment
has #een done according to #est 0ractices.?
11*
REm0hasis addedS
17
The Energy Institute re0ort clearly covered gas migration into groundater caused #y drilling and
s0ecifically hydraulic fracturing,
+n0lanned releases of natural gas in the su#surface during drilling may result in a #loout of
the ell or migration of gas #elo the surface to near#y houses< here the gas may accumulate
in concentrations high enough to cause an e60losion. Q Many #loouts ha00en as a result of
the failure of the integrity of the casing or the cementing of the casing such that high40ressure
fluids esca0e u0 ell #ore and flo into su#surface formations. ... .loouts are a00arently the
most common of all ell control 0ro#lems< and they appear to be under+reported. ...
Su#surface #loouts may 0ose #oth safety haCards and environmental ris2s. Ahe 0otential
environmental conse=uences of a #loout de0end mostly on three factors, 1/ the timing of the
#loout relative to ell activities -hich determines the nature of the released fluid such as
natural gas or 0ressuriCed fracturing fluid/9 2/ occurrence of the esca0e of containments
through the surface casing or dee0 in a ell9 and !/ the ris2 rece0tors< such as freshater
a=uifers or ater ells< that are im0acted. Q
.loouts due to high gas 0ressure or mechanical failures ha00en in #oth conventional and
shale gas develo0ment. ,hale gas wells have the incremental risk of potential failures
caused by the high pressures of fracturing fluid during hydraulic fracturing operations.
+nderground #loouts occur in #oth ells that had #een or a#out to #e hydraulically fractured.
...
1n e6am0le of the environmental conse=uences of an underground #looutQhas #een
re0orted in 5ouisiana< in hich 0ressure changes in the %ilco6 a=uifer caused a num#er of
ater ells around the #loout RellS to start s0outing ater. Q In another incident in FhioQ
high40ressure natural gas as encountered and moved u0 the ell #ore and invaded shallo
roc2 formations. %ithin a fe days gas #u##ling as o#served in ater ells and surface
ater< and the floor of a #asement in a house as u0lifted several inches. Fver 5: families
ere evacuated from the area. ...
In one ell42non case in Fhio< a house e60loded soon after a near#y hydraulically fractured
ell as drilled. 1fter much investigation #y the regulatory agency and a 0rivate geological
engineering consulting firm< folloed #y study of the case #y a distinguished revie
committee< it as concluded that methane may have migrated to the house along shallo
horiContal fractures or #edding 0lanes. ... Fther cases of methane e60losions in homes and
ellhouses have #een investigated in Colorado< Pennsylvania< and Ae6as. In some of these
cases< the e60losions ere found caused #y gas migration from hydraulically fractured ells.
113
'he press release accompanying the %nergy Institutes report was intentionally misleading*
>Ne Study Shos No Evidence of Groundater Contamination from 8ydraulic $racturing?
--.
setting
off similar headlines in the media across the glo#e.
In 10ril< 2:1!< a documentary re0orted coal#ed methane fields lea2ing in 1ustralia and government
fast trac2ing a00rovals for massive 0roDects ithout assessing the ris2s. Methane contaminated ater
ells and is #u##ling in rivers. Ahis from the transcri0t,
2:
A% News, Professor Pells has studied 1G5(s re0ort< hich found there as no evidence of
natural connectivity 4 or movement 4 #eteen shallo and dee0 groundater systems. Q
Professor Philli0 Pells -indicating a gra0h on the screen/, >Ahe groundater system has no
su#stantially de0ressuriCed. %e too2 their conce0tual model e6actly ho they 0resented it 4
ith their geometry< ith their 0arameters...and e ran the model. 1nd it sim0ly shos that
they are connected. 1nd I(m Dust disa00ointed that a conclusion as reached hich clearly isn(t
su00orted #y their on model.?
12:

If you were looking for a way to poison the drinking water supplyFyou couldn!t find a
more chillingly effective and thorough method of doing so than with hydraulic
fracturing.
787
/r. 'aul Jet=ler
1*. Maurice 'usseault< a 0rominent Canadian oil and gas industry researcher and gas migration e60ert<
re0orted that lea2ing methane gas from thousands of resource ells 0osed >massive environmental
0ro#lems? #ecause the esca0ing methane >changes the ater< and generates a=uifer 0ro#lems.?
122

'usseault e60lained in an 1l#erta re0ort on heavy oil that< >all un0lugged ells ill lea2 eventually<
and even many ells that have #een 0ro0erly a#andoned? ould also lea2 gas u0 to the surface
outside of the ell casing 0osing a haCard to groundater and the atmos0here.
12!

In 2::)< the E"C. re0orted that !)2<2)5 total resource ells have #een drilled in 1l#erta of hich
11)< 55: are a#andoned.
12&
In a 2::: re0ort entitled $hy &ilwells 'eak( ement %ehaviour and 'ong-!erm onse)uences<
'usseault and colleagues arned,
Ahe conse=uences of cement shrin2age are non4trivial, in North 1merica< there are literally
tens of thousands of a#andoned< inactive< or active oil and gas ells< including gas storage
ells< that currently lea2 gas to surface. Q
Some of the gas enters shallo a=uifers< here traces of sulfurous com0ounds can render the
ater non0ota#le< or where the methane itself can generate unpleasant effects such as gas
locking of household wells, or gas entering household systems to come out when taps are
turned on.
Methane from lea2ing ells is idely 2non in a=uifers in Peace "iver and 5loydminster
areas -1l#erta/< here there are anecdotes of the gas in 2itchen ta0 ater #eing ignited.
.ecause of the nature of the mechanism< the 0ro#lem is unli2ely to attenuate< and the
concentration of the gases in the shallow auifers will increase with time. Q
/nfortunately, even if no gas appears at the surface, it is no guarantee that the well is not
leaking. In fact, the common occurrence of household water sources being charged with
deep+sourced gas is clear evidence that there are many cases of leakage where the gas
simply enters the water auifer, and may never bubble around the casing.
125
REm0hasis
addedS
21
1l#erta regulators 0ermitted the drilling of nearly 3<::: coal#ed methane -C.M/ ells ithout
standardiCed #aseline hydrogeological investigations from a#out 2::1 to May 2::). Many gas4#earing
coal seams are connected to drin2ing ater a=uifers.
1l#erta 8orseshoe Canyon coal#ed methane ells< 2::) -each s=uare H Aonshi0 6 "ange H ) 6 ) miles/.
12)

Conventional and other unconventional ells are not included on this ma0< nor are all C.M ells.
-Ahe #lue 0oints to some of the contamination cases discussed in this #rief./
Ahere ere 15<35: coal#ed methane -C.M/ ells in 1l#erta #y 2::7 and 2:<::: #y $e#ruary 2:1!. In
2:11< the E"C. re0orted that hen >C.M develo0ment #egan< some 1l#ertans e60ressed concerns
that e ould e60erience similar im0acts to those occurring in some +.S. Durisdictions. %e soon
learned that our geology and orld4class regulations hel0ed us avoid these 0ro#lems.?
12*
22
In 177)< the Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers -C1PP/ re0orted that 1* of a#out 2&<:::
-:.:*O/ historic ater ell records revieed #y 1l#erta Environmental Protection -name changed to
1l#erta Environment
123
/ indicated gas 0resent #efore oil and gas develo0ment.
127
In 2::1< four out of
2<!:: -:.1*O/ historic ater ell records ithin a#out 5: s=uare 2ilometres of "ose#ud< 1l#erta
noted gas 0resent #efore e60erimental hydraulic fracturing #egan in 2::1.
1!:
EnCana advertisements
1!1
in 2::) state that 1l#erta Environment had 7:) entries in its Ground Center 'ata#ase indicating gas
0resent. Ahis is :.13O of a#out 5::<::: total groundater ells in the 0rovince
1!2
and !.3O of a#out
2&<::: in coals.
Ahe E"C. conducted a C.M ater chemistry study in 1l#erta and re0orted that a#out 7:O of ater
ells in coal they tested had no detecta#le methane or ethane 0resent<
1!!
hile the ethane finger0rints
in C.M ells -fractured #eteen a#out 25: and *!: metres #elo surface/ matched the ethane
finger0rints found in gases in contaminated ater ells at "ose#ud.
1!&

$rom 1777 through 2:11< the +S Geological Survey -in coo0eration ith the Ne Nor2 State
regulator since 2::7/< sam0led groundater for dissolved gases< including methane >meant to
document the natural occurrence of methane in the StateR(Ss a=uifers.? Eighty4three 0ercent of the 2!7
ater ells sam0led had less than 1 mgGl methane9 &*O had none detected. Seventeen 0ercent had
more than 1 mgGl< of hich five had more than 23 mgGl< the highest at &5 mgGl.
1!5
Ahe re0ort did not
include the locations of the more than *5<::: oil and gas ells drilled in the state since the 132:(s
1!)

-only 1&<::: remain active/<
1!*
or the rates of methane lea2age from the energy ells< es0ecially those
a#andoned and 0oorly 0lugged.
1 2::& Ne Nor2 State Fil< Gas and Mineral "esources re0ort states,
Most of the ells date #efore Ne Nor2 esta#lished a regulatory 0rogram. Many ere never
0ro0erly 0lugged or ere 0lugged using older techni=ues that may not last. 1#andoned ells
can lea2 oil< gas andGor #rine9 underground leaks may go undiscovered for years. 'hese
substances can contaminate ground and surface water, kill vegetation and cause safety
and health problems.
8istorically< a#andoned ells have #een discovered in residential yards< 0laygrounds< 0ar2ing
lots< ooded areas< inside buildings and underwater in wetlands, creeks and ponds. Every
year 'EC staff discover additional a#andoned ells hile conducting scheduled ins0ections or
investigating complaints. 0any abandoned well issues take several years to resolve as
1the 2epartment of %nvironmental Conservation 32%C45 pursues legal action against the
responsible parties.
1!3
REm0hasis addedS
"egional groundater assessments #y 8ydrogeological Consultants 5td. -8C5/<
1!7
in conDunction ith
1griculture and 1gri4$ood Canada and the Prairie $arm "eha#ilitation 1dministration< ere
com0leted for &5 1l#erta counties and munici0al districts
1&:
#efore andGor during unconventional oil
and gas develo0ment. Ahe assessments included identifying a=uifers and =uality and =uantity of the
ater in those a=uifers9 they did not report dangerous or explosive levels of methane as a
naturally occurring phenomena. "egulators #egan 0u#licly stating that all ater ells in coal are
naturally contaminated ith e60losive levels of methane after media re0orted flamma#le< e60losive
ell ater in 1l#erta.
1&1
Ahe historic records 0u#licly availa#le at the time on 1l#erta Environment(s
ater ell data#ase for the re0orted contamination cases 4 including Ernst(s 4 state Gas Present( No.
1&2

2!
C1PP Chairman and EnCana Lice President< Gerard Protti< as intervieed a#out the Ernst case in
2::),
1s2ed a#out Eessica Ernst(s #urning ater...>Ahat(s actually fairly common.? It(s a natural
0henomenon in an area here there(s so much natural gas< he says< adding that such ater is
safe to drin2.
1&!
In a#out 2:1:< the historic records on 1l#erta Environment(s ater ell data#ase that state Gas
Present( No< ere re0laced ith altered records here the information for Gas Present( is no
#lan2.
1&&
'r. 1nthony Ingraffea<
1&5
fracturing 0rocesses researcher and 0rofessor at Cornell +niversity since
17**< summariCed natural methane concentrations in groundater and the 0ro#lem of #laming nature
for industry(s gas migration,
1long ith these fairly direct evaluations of the migration of methane and other su#stances<
industry sources have asserted that 0rivate ater ells are often contaminated #y >naturally
occurring? methane. Ahis is often 0resented in an a00arently analytical #ut confusing ay<
suggesting that the a00earance of methane in drin2ing ater ells is sort of >common? and
thus unli2ely related to any gas ell drilling. ...
Ahe Ne Nor2 'ECPs data...ma2e crystal clear that for a 2:1: sam0le of ater ells -nH&)/ in
the >'elaare< Genesee< and St. 5arence "iver .asins<? 0resuma#ly not near gas ells< Dust
2O of the ells had a dangerous level over 1: mgG5. Fne ell had a level of 22 mgG59 the
remaining ells then had an average level of :.!1 mgG5. Ahis lo 0ercentage of >normal? ris2
has #een confirmed re0eatedly in studies in P1<...<in the Southern Aier of NN -1&5: ater
ells< R+S Geological SurveyS< 2:1:/< in 1l#erta< Canada -!):<::: ells< Griffiths< 2::*/ and
#y #oth inde0endent investigations and #y testing #y gas drillers -e.g.< .oyer< et al.< 2:11/.
6one of these findings suggest, in any way, that dangerous levels of methane are at all
common in rural private water wells. 'hus, a fairly strong implication is that, if and
when methane does occur at high levels in water wells near gas drilling, it is likely due to
some aspects of gas drilling, fracing and"or production operations themselves. Ahis is
consistent ith #oth the Fs#orn< et al. -2:11/ study and the EP1 Pavilion -2:11/ 0reliminary
re0ort.
1&)
REm0hasis addedS
13. Ahe develo0ment of coal#ed methane -C.M/ and other unconventional de0osits of natural gas and oil
re=uires e6tensive hydraulic fracturing. 8ydraulic fracturing consists of inDecting diesel fuel< ater<
foams< silica< nitrogen and undisclosed mi6es of chemicals into coal and other formations to force the
tight gas or oil to release. Some fracturing chemicals that 0ose a threat to human health include
#enCene<
1&*
0henanthrenes and florenes<
1&3
na0hthalene<
1&7
14methylna0hthalene< 24methylna0hthalene<
aromatics< ethylene glycol and methanol.
1ccording to the +S Environmental Protection 1gency -EP1/ a#out &: 0ercent of every fracturing
treatment remains in the ground here it 0oses a threat to groundater9 C)0 reuires five to ten
times more fracturing than conventional natural gas wells.
15:

Ahe E"C. 8ydraulic $racturing 'irective released on May 21< 2:1! has a section titled, >S0ecial
Provisions for Coal#ed Methane $racturing.?
151
2&
Our CBM zones are not fracked....
What we do is provide nitrogen down there in a stimulation fashion.
We ust take the nitrogen from the air !ou "reathe stimulate the coals with it.
#$%
<tacy Inull, EnCana &ice-'resident to Investors in 8373
Ahe Canadian Society of +nconventional Gas re0orted in 2::* that >RuSnconventional gas< #y
definition< is difficult4to40roduce gas that re=uires some sort of artificial stimulation to flo at
commercial rates. .ecause of this< there has #een much research and field e60erimentation on
fracturing technologies that ill or2 on the thinner< often com0le6 unconventional gas Cones of
estern Canada. In the 8orseshoe Canyon< 0roducers =uic2ly discovered a high40ressure nitrogen
fracture could ma2e gas flo at commercial rates.?
15!
Arident E60loration 0resented in 2::7 that their
C.M in 1l#erta is >una#le to 0roduce on 0erforation alone? so each seam is fractured ith high rate
nitrogen.
15&

In 2::&< Encana fractured directly into the drin2ing ater a=uifers at "ose#ud, >Ahe to0 0erforation
as stimulated ith !<::: m! R!<:::<::: litresS of nitrogen -at standard tem0erature and 0ressure/ at a
rate of 5:: m!Gmin R5::<::: litresGminS for si6 minutes. Ahe to0 set of 0erforations in this C.M ell
-125.5 to 12).& m;#/ as in the %eaver coal Cone< the same as many of the local ater ells....?
155

Ahere ere si6 0erforations into the fresh ater a=uifer and 13 more #elo them. %ater ells in the
community started to go #ad and EnCana retained 8ydrogeological Consultants 5td. -8C5/ to
investigate. 8C5 is the same com0any that did the regional groundater assessments for &5 1l#erta
counties and munici0al districts< including %heatland County in 2::! -"efer also to Page 2!/. Aesting
of the gas from the a=uifer in 2::& shoed high concentrations of methane and nitrogen. Nitrogen
as as high as !:O in the gas in the first ater ell that ent #ad.
15)
1 0u#licly availa#le gas analysis
on the Encana C.M ell that frac(d the a=uifer shos it contained 27.)5O nitrogen even after it as
floed for months.
15*
8C5 admitted in their re0ort that >there is an elevated concentration of nitrogen
in the gas from the a=uifer? #ut dismissed it #y,
1/ Ignoring Encana(s data from the gas ell ith 27.)5O nitrogen< and instead using data from
gas ells u0 to 2* 2ilometres aay that had &.1< !.7 and 2.7O nitrogen and concluding, >the
concentration of nitrogen in gas in the groundater 0um0ed from the...ater ells is elevated
a#ove the concentration of nitrogen in gas from gas ells in the area9?
2/ +sing e60ectations instead of the data, >there is no reason to e60ect any significant nitrogen
remained...9? and
!/ Stating >the concentration of nitrogen in the gas from the...ater ells is similar to the nitrogen
concentration of a gas sam0le from a domestic ater ell...southest of Calmar? -a ton near
Edmonton< a#out !:: 2ilometres aay9 refer also to [*/.
153

Ahe 1l#erta "esearch Council dismissed the high nitrogen levels in the Signer and 5auridsen ells at
"ose#ud #y also ignoring Encana(s data from the gas ell ith 27.)5O nitrogen and claiming,
1/ the ater ells might #e #reathing ells9
2/ there might #e an >a=uifer connection to the atmos0here at some distant 0oint9? and
!/ >RnSitrogen concentrations in energy ells are less than 15O.?
"egulator tests in 2::* on the Ernst ell shoed 331<::: 00mv methane< 2).*: 00mv ethane and
1!*<::: 00mv nitrogen in free gas collected< and 2&.! mgGl methane< :.:21 mgGl ethane and 12.! mgGl
nitrogen dissolved in the ater. Canadian 'rin2ing %ater Guidelines are 1: mgGl total nitrogen.
157

25
Aotal nitrogen in fresh groundater contaminated #y frac(ing in 2:11 near Grand Prairie< 1l#erta<
dro00ed to one4fifth the initial concentration after a#out a year and continues to #e monitored #y the
regulators.
1):
Ahe contaminated citiCen ater ells at "ose#ud are not #eing monitored for anything.
Ahe 1l#erta "esearch Council did not revie the high nitrogen in the Ernst ater< not even to dismiss
it. Ahe research council did hoever use a high nitrogen level in a gas sam0le from an EnCana gas
ell at "ose#ud< to claim air contamination and there#y dismiss the isoto0ic finger0rinting analysis
that matched ethane signatures in EnCana(s gas to gas in the contaminated ater ells. Instead of
re=uesting ne gas sam0les from EnCana< the research council used gas sam0les from gas ells frac(d
much dee0er and located over 1:: miles aay to claim no match< and refuse to release this data<
1)1

even after $reedom of Information re=uests and su#se=uent in=uiry.
1)2

'ocuments o#tained #y $reedom of Information sho that the 1l#erta "esearch Council calculated
the gas 0roduction from the Ernst ater ell to #e :.7& litresGminute. Ahis information as not
revealed in their re0orts. Ahe research council dismissed the gas in the ater ells at "ose#ud #y
claiming it as #iogenic #ut couldn(t e60lain here it came from. Ahe research council included in
their re0orts the historic records for the no contaminated ater ells that state Gas Present( No< #ut
did not discuss them. Instead< on the Ernst case< the council rote, >8istorically< methane has #een
o#served in ater ells in the "ose#ud area?
1)!
and on the Signer and 5auridsen cases, >8istorically<
methane has #een o#served in ater ells in the "ose#ud and "edland areas.?
1)&
Ahe E"C. and 1l#erta Environment acce0ted 8C5(s and the 1l#erta "esearch Council(s omissions<
errors and arguments< and the contamination cases ere closed. Ahe claimants re=uested 0eer4revie
and correction of the errors and omissions.
1)5
Ahey received no res0onse. 'rs. .ar#ara Ailley and
;arlis Muehlen#achs< geochemists at the +niversity of 1l#erta =uestioned 'r. .lyth(s dismissal of the
contamination cases,
In summary< given the un=ualified nature of the '!5 ell data#ase< the disregard of diagnostic
ethane isoto0e ratios and the lac2 of coal gas isoto0e data< e find the overall conclusion of 'r.
.lythPs re0ort >1n inde0endent revie of coal#ed methane related ater ell com0laints filed
ith 1l#erta Environment? Eanuary 1)< 2::3< to #e 0remature.
1))
In 2::5< the energy regulator -#efore the name as changed from the E+. to the E"C./ arned that
shallo fracturing o0erations had im0acted oilfield ells.
Ahe E+. has recently met ith most maDor coal#ed methane o0erators and service com0anies
to discuss their fracturing 0ractices< including 0rogram design. Ahese discussions have indicated
that design of fracture stimulations at shallo de0ths re=uires im0roved engineering design and
a greater em0hasis on 0rotection of groundater.
1)*

Ahe E"C. did not advise the 0u#lic or landoners that com0anies ere fracturing thousands of gas
ells here 1l#erta(s fresh ater is or a#ove the .ase of Groundater Protection.
There are an increasing number of stakeholders that have been raising "uestions and
concerns about the development of Kcoalbed methane (C@%+L. F
There also seems to be a misconception held by some people that...Me1perimentalN
means that it poses a higher risk to the public.
Canadian )ssociation of 'etroleum 'roducers (C)''+, 833A
7CH
2)
Encana fracturing "ose#ud(s drin2ing ater a=uifers as re0orted to the regulators in 2::5
1)7
-0erha0s
earlier/. Since 2::1< the E"C. 0ermitted hundreds of gas ells to #e frac(d a#ove the .ase of
Groundater Protection< #ut did not 0rohi#it the inDection of to6ic fracturing chemicals here the
fresh ater is until 2::).
1*:

1*1
In 2::3< Congress moved to 0rotect drin2ing ater in the +nited States from hydraulic fracturing
1*2

and in 2:1: the Committee on Energy and Commerce investigated eleven com0anies< including
EnCana< regarding their hydraulic fracturing 0ractices and all allegations of groundater
contamination.
1*!
Ernst as2ed Encana for a co0y of the com0any(s su#mission to Congress and
received this re0ly, >Ahe information re=uested #y Congress does not relate.... Since Encana does not
intend to inDect 0etroleum distillates or diesel...Encana has no information to 0rovide in this regard.?
1*&
1 2:11 E"C. 0u#lic relations 0ac2age clearly states that com0anies >must? disclose frac chemicals
inDected,
Ahe E"C. re=uires that any hydraulic fracture fluids used a#ove the #ase of groundater
0rotection...#e nonto6ic and that the operator reveal the contents of the fluids to the %(C)
upon reuest. Ahe E"C. also re=uires that the ty0e and volume of all additives used in fracture
fluids #e recorded in the daily record of drilling o0erations for any ell. 'his information must
be submitted to the %(C).
1*5
REm0hasis addedS
Why has the regulator allowed companies to risk )lberta,s groundwater without proper
safeguards as recommended by the Canadian Council of Environmental %inisters in
8338O Why has Kcoalbed methane (C@%+L activity been allowed to escalate at the
e1pense of public health and safetyO
What are the fracing chemicalsO
The &roundwater 'e"ate( %))6
#*6
$reedom of Information re=uest res0onses
1**
sho that com0anies have not disclosed to 1l#erta
regulators or affected families the chemicals inDected in shallo or dee0 ells. 1 2:12 letter from
E"C. General Counsel to Ernst in res0onse to her re=uest for the chemicals inDected #y Encana states,
'he %(C) does not currently reuire licensees to provide detailed disclosure of the
chemical composition of fracturing fluids. REm0hasis addedS
1*3

17. EnCana< one of North 1mericaPs largest coal#ed methane drillers< 0u#licly admitted that the same
fracturing 0ractices and gelled fluids used in the +nited States< hich included diesel< have #een
a00lied in 1l#erta. 1 2::5 study #y the com0any< tested recovered fracturing fluids and drilling aste
mi6ed ith ater from 2: shallo gas ells on the Suffield "ange in southeastern 1l#erta.
1*7
Ahe
study< hich detected metals such as chromium< arsenic< #arium< mercury< and .AE\ -#enCene<
toluene< ethyl #enCene and 6ylenes/< recommended that >$rac fluid com0anies should investigate the
use of alternative additives that may #e even more environmentally friendly -i.e. loer to6icity/.?
Pu#lic 5ands 'ivision of 1l#erta Sustaina#le "esource 'evelo0ment officially re0orted in 2::! that
com0anies -including Encana/ ina00ro0riately dum0ed aste in the Suffield National %ildlife 1rea
and Canadian Military .ase< including directly into etlands and through ater courses< 0utting
groundater at ris2,
2*
Ahe survey of R5ands0raying hile drilling -5%'/S sites ithin C$. Suffield highlighted
concerns ith the 0oor distri#ution of 5%' residual solids9 associated smothering im0acts to
grassland vegetation here there ere s2ins and mud0ac2s of 5%' materials9 mechanical
im0acts li2e rutting9 and siting 0ro#lems such as a00lication on sand dunes< watercourses,
wetlands and steep slopes. Q It is not unusual to find mud 0ac2s in e6cess of one inch thic2
#eing dro00ed at the start of a load. ... Pro#lem land s0rays have #een left ith inade=uate clean
u0. Q Ahe file revie and field o#servations revealed that on a high 0ercentage of sites< 5%' is
not #eing conducted according to the guidelines and is having a negative impact on native
range.
13:
REm0hasis addedS
Ahe regulator as aare of the violations. 'arren .arter< E"C. 0u#lic relations s0o2esman<
dismissed them claiming no >serious #reaches? occurred. >If they are not folloing our regulations<
e should #e involved in it.?
-7-
Canadian military #ase commander at Suffield< 'aniel 're< rote
that activities on the #ase >illustrate an a00arent lac2 of res0ect for the landoner and the lands
themselves<? referring to an environmental assessment re0ort #y the military that found oil and gas
com0anies discarded and a#andoned >haCardous material drums and lu#ricant 0ails< assorted 0i0e<
0lastic tu#ing< oil rags and frac sand? at ell sites.
182
>Ahese incidents a00ear to run counter to
industry guidelines and standard 0ractices< and illustrate an a00arent lac2 of res0ect for the landoner
and the lands themselves. ... Ahe #ase is not 0re0ared to tolerate these ty0es of destructive and
negligent o0erating 0ractices.?
13!

1t "ose#ud< EnCana dum0s drilling aste on agricultural lands< often in thic2 mud 0ac2s and
sometimes dum0ing on them more than once.
13&

Encana drilling aste dum0ed at "ose#ud< Novem#er 13< 2:12
23
'rilling fluids are transported( stored and handled in tanks.
T!picall!( drilling fluid waste will "e transported off+site for re+use
and treatment,disposal-. .ome additives ma! "e caustic( to/ic( or acidic.
Canadian )ssociation of 'etroleum 'roducers (C)''+ @est 'ractices, 833C
7H>
'rilling muds and 0etroleum industry astes are sometimes dis0osed of in 0its and covered. Industry
and regulators descri#e it as a #enign >s0raying? or >farming? hen it is dum0ed on land and
com0anies offer a 0ittance or claim it is free fertiliCer to attract farmers and ranchers to ta2e the aste.
Possi#le to6ics in the astes are not disclosed to landoners or communities< can harm human
health
13)
and contaminate groundater.
13*
Groundater flo systems can trans0ort 0ollutants several
2ilometres.
133
Ahe managing director of %underlich Securities announced at %asteE60o2:1! that
drilling com0anies in 1merica and Canada are s0ending #eteen T2: #illion and T!: #illion on aste
dis0osal. 1 re0orter covering the E60o rote, >1 year and a half ago< 1l#erta< Canada< eliminated
(land farming( of oil4field astes< a 0ractice here the astes are s0rayed over o0en land and alloed
to #rea2 don naturally.?
189
'rilling aste dis0osal is a serious< ides0read 0ro#lem,
1#out 1.2 #arrels of solid aste are created ith each foot drilled< according to the 1merican
Petroleum Institute. Sim0ly to reach the a00ro6imate 3<:::4foot de0th of a .arnett Shale gas
ell< drilling creates more than 7<):: #arrels< or &:!<2:: gallons< of solid aste. Ahat does not
ta2e into account any horiContal drilling 0erformed after reaching that de0th. $or the 1&<:::
.arnett Shale ells drilled so far< the aste ould cover the entire city of $ort %orth in more
than an inch of drill cuttings< slurry< heavy metals and other to6ic com0ounds. Q.millions of
gallons of to6ic aste are s0read on the land< sometimes overfloing into aterays<
sometimes #ecoming air#orne and #loing across the 0rairie.
17:
1n article a#out shallo gas drilling in Sas2atchean touts drilling aste as free fertiliCer,
Ahey also collect drilling fluids in vacuum truc2s. Ahe drilling fluid consists of calcium nitrate
-fertiliCer/ hich is s0read onto the farmer(s land after com0letion. Ahis creates a dou#le #enefit
for the farmer. 8e has lease revenue and fertiliCed land hen it is all said and done.
171
In 2:11< after high4ris2 enforcement action #y the E"C. against .ayte6 Energy for lands0raying a
farmer(s field ith crude oil< the com0any(s CEF as re0orted claiming that s0raying drilling aste is
good for the land and cro0 generation. B1ll it really is< is ta2ing in sand and some shale(s and stuff
from the hole e drill out #efore you get to the target Cone and s0raying it on the field.B
172
>Mortgages routinely contain clauses 0rohi#iting haCardous activityGsu#stances on the 0ro0erty< the
storage of haCardous aste< and activities that may devalue the 0ro0erty. ... Ahe interests of the
#an2ing industry< consumers< and oil and gas e60loration com0anies a00ear to #e at odds. 1t the core<
the issue is ho should #ear the ris2s....?
17!
"esearchers in the +S studied the additives used in drilling,
$or many years< drillers have insisted that they do not use to6ic chemicals to drill for gas< only
guar gum< mud< and sand. %hile much attention is #eing given to chemicals used during frac2ing<
our findings indicate that drilling chemicals can #e e=ually< if not more dangerous.
17&

27
1l#erta Environment found .AE\ in the 8amlet of "ose#ud ater su00ly< arsenic and he6avalent
chromium in a monitoring ater ell in the community< and evidence of 0etroleum distillates in the
hamlet and citiCen ater ells after intense unconventional gas develo0ments. Ahe chromium in the
Ernst ater ell increased #y a factor of &5 after EnCana fractured the a=uifer
175
that su00lies that
ell. Ahe 1l#erta "esearch Council neglected to e60lain this increase in their re0ort on the Ernst case.
Ahe regulator did not test for arsenic or mercury in the contaminated citiCen ells at "ose#ud.
17)
2:. 5ost circulation or the see0age of cement and other fluids into the ground is a constant 0ro#lem ith
coal#ed methane -C.M/ and other unconventional oil and gas drilling.
17*
EnCana e60erienced 1:O
lost circulation in one C.M field
173
and EnCana drilling and fracturing records for shallo C.M ells
near the contaminated Cam0#ell ater ell at Pono2a< 1l#erta indicate >severe? lost circulation
events.
177

5ost circulation 0oses a variety of ris2s to groundater including contamination #y 0roducts used to
sto0 the see0age. 1lthough EnCana and other com0anies claim they only use fi#re to seal the lea2s<
many of the 0roducts are to6ic. Industry< for e6am0le< often refers to Solte6 -sodium as0halt
sul0honate/ as a >cellulose #ased? 0roduct< #ut the com0ound can include high amounts of antimony<
arsenic< #arium< chromium< lead and mercury.
2::

&ilweek Maga*ine
2:1
lists almost a hundred 0roducts used for lost circulation including oil solu#le
resin 0olymer system< high lignin cellulosic< acid solu#le #lend< gra0hite 0lugging agent< and oil et
cellulose fi#er. $erro4chrome lignosulfonate -thinner and deflocculant/< is a drilling mud additive
listed as #eing used in 1l#erta
2:2
and has #een re0orted to negatively affect fish eggs and fry.
2:!

Since 2::!< more than fifteen 1l#erta landoners re0orted contamination of their ater ells after
intense unconventional gas drilling and fracturing. 1l#erta Environment reluctantly and 0artially
sam0led some of these ells. 1nalysis #y the 1l#erta "esearch Council
2:&
and other la#s detected
indicators of industrial contamination< including .AE\ -#enCene< toluene< ethyl #enCene< 6ylenes/<
#arium< strontium< he6avalent chromium< tert4#utyl alcohol< 0hthalates< 82S< and heavy hydrocar#ons
indicative of contamination #y 0etroleum distillates such as 2erosene and na0hthalene.
Methodical studies #y the +niversity of 1l#erta on gases in the contaminated ater also indicated
industrial contamination.
2:5

Ahe E"C.(s mandate is to #ecome involved in fresh groundater cases that have indication of
0etroleum industry contamination. In the maDority of cases< the E"C. involvement has #een limited to
claiming in the media and 0u#lic ton hall meetings that the contamination is natural< and most
recently< that the regulator oes >no duty of care? to 1l#ertans or groundater.
2:)

2:*
Ahe Energy Institute recently re0orted that fracturing fluid additives fre=uently include the 2non
carcinogen #enCene and 0ro#a#le carcinogen na0hthalene< and high volumes of 24#uto6y4ethanol -of
serious concern #ecause it destroys red #lood cells and is >dangerous to the s0leen< liver< and #one
marro?/. Ahe re0ort noted that 24#uto6y4ethanol is >#eing re0laced in hydraulic fracturing ith a
ne 0roduct having lo to6icity and ith 0ro0erties re=uiring use of a much loer volume of 0roduct
and summariCed fracturing fluid additives, >Estimates of the actual chemicals utiliCed range as high as
25:: service com0any 0roducts containing *5: chemical com0ounds.?
2:3
!:
In 2::)< 1l#erta Environment finally released a Standard for .aseline %ater %ell Aesting for coal#ed
methane -C.M/. It is not standardiCed or #aseline, >Sur0risingly< many 0resumed 0ristine ater ells
contain effervescing methane...ith traces of ethane...indicating that some of the ater ells have
already #een contaminated.?
2:7
-"efer also to the 2::) C.M ell ma0 on Page 22./ Ahe Standard is
further limited #y only #eing a00lica#le to shallo C.M ells< not sands< shales or dee0 C.M< and
does not mandate testing for dissolved methane or red flag indicators of 0etroleum industry
contamination< such as arsenic< mercury< chromium< #arium< strontium< .AE\. %ater ells are to #e
tested if they are ithin ):: or 3:: metres of C.M ells to #e frac(d a#ove the .ase of Groundater
Protection.
21:

Fn May 21< 2:1!< the E"C. released 'irective :3!< >8ydraulic $racturing K Su#surface Integrity<?
211

the day after the regulator(s >millions of 0ages of records? res0onse to a $reedom of Information
re=uest on frac4related incidents as made availa#le to the 0u#lic.
212

Ahe 'irective 0rovides the >o0tion for single4#arrier? design and a#ility to a00ly for less. Ahe E"C.
defines >Single4#arrier system? as a >ell system designed for hydraulic fracturing o0erations
com0rised of a 0rimary #arrier system only.?
.rom a design perspective, we!ve heard that engineering steelcase systems,
which are fully cemented e1ternally, provide multiple barriers
to the migration of fluids from well bores to groundwater a"uifers.
*ichard /unn, 0&ice-'resident, *egulatory and $overnment *elations, Encana Corporation+
Testimony on Mbest practicesN in 8373 to 'arliamentary Committee
87A
Ahe 'irective does not mandate baseline water well or spring testing for vertical or horiContal
shales or sands frac(d a#ove or #elo the .ase of Groundater Protection< or C.M #elo it.
21&

In 2:12< a s0ring(s flo as reduced #y a third after frac(ing and the ater as later contaminated
after a second frac o0eration near#y. Ahe rancher as2ed for testing #efore and after the frac(ing #ut the
com0any refused. >Ahey said their geologist said there as no ris2 from the frac2ing and that they
didnPt see a reason to test.?
215
Ahe rancher sent a !240age com0laint letter to the regulator over the lac2
of testing. >Nothing has ha00ened ith the E"C..?
21)
Ahe Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers -C1PP/ 2:12 >8ydraulic $racturing F0erating
Practice? suggests develo0ing 0rograms to 0rovide voluntary #aseline testing for ater ells and
s0rings ithin 25: metres< >or as specified by regulation< of a ellhead #efore drilling shale gas<
tight gas or tight oil.? REm0hasis addedS. Ahe Practice does not include testing dissolved methane.
21*

1n Engineering and Materials Aesting firm in 1l#erta recommends that dissolved methane< #arium
and strontium are added tests to the government standard #ecause they are indicators of methane gas
migration into ater ells.
213
EnCana refuses to 0rovide these< even if landoners offer to 0ay the
additional costs for sam0ling and analysis.
217

22:

Ahe E"C. re0orted that shallo and dee0 shales ill #e fractured in 1l#erta< that fracturing is a
2non ris2 to groundater #ut ill not mandate a00ro0riate #aseline testing.
221
In 1l#erta< mandatory
0artial chemical disclosure as introduced on fracfocus.ca after 0u#lic outcry< #ut only from 2:1! on
and trade secrets are 0ermitted.
222
In .ritish Colum#ia< 0artial frac chemical disclosure via
fracfocus.ca #egan the 0revious year.
22!
!1
21. 1 2::3 analysis of &5* chemicals used #y oil and gas industry for drilling and fracturing in five
estern states found that 72 0ercent had adverse health effects and that more than one =uarter ere
ater4solu#le.
22&
"esearchers com0iled a list of 7&& 0roducts containing )!2 chemicals used during
natural gas o0erations and re0orted, >Ahese results indicate that many chemicals used during the
fracturing and drilling stages of gas o0erations may have long4term health effects that are not
immediately e60ressedQ.Ahe discussion highlights the difficulty of develo0ing effective ater =uality
monitoring 0rograms.?
225
22. Ahe oil and gas industry has #een drilling the Stoney Cree2 community in Ne .runsic2 for a#out
1:: years< and fracturing there since a#out 17&: hen a ell as frac(d ith nitroglycerin.
22)

>$racturing Stoney Cree2 $ield ell ith nitroglycerin< circa 17&:?
5a# tests of drin2ing ater in the Stoney Cree2 community find it unsafe, >Ahis re0ort contradicts the
claims made #y the government of Ne .runsic2 that there have #een no incidents connected to the
oil and gas industry in recent decades...? >Senior la#oratory technicians re0orted that they< =uote< ]lit
the ater on fireP< and found the ater sam0le< 0rovided to them #y Mr. Charles 'oucet< found it to #e
su0er saturated ith methane.? ... >%ater contaminated ith thermogenic natural gas< ith diesel oil<
and ith #arium ^ su#stances that are not normally found in this area.? 8undreds of homes are
thought to #e affected. >Ahis is a ell42non 0ro#lem in the area. R%Shy the government has never
#otherRedS to investigate is something that eludes me< I really donPt understand.?
22*

Ahe Government of Ne .runsic2< as ith most Durisdictions on the continent< don0lays industry(s
cumulative gas migration 0ro#lems, >Many of the flaming ta0 footage seen on AL and in films have
#een attri#uted to #iogenic methane. Fther cases have #een attri#uted to natural gas contamination via
faulty casing andGor inade=uately constructedGgrouted gas ells. Methane has #een found to occur
naturally in groundater in 0arts of N.. 'uring recent #aseline sam0ling in the Elgin area< 1! of !:!
R&.!OS ells tested 0ositive for methane. .aseline -0re4drilling/ sam0ling ill therefore #e im0ortant
to distinguish #eteen naturally occurring gas and any 0ossi#le future im0acts from the industry. 1
#aseline sam0ling 0rotocol has #een develo0ed to identify methane in domestic ells in areas
surrounding natural gas o0erations #efore Natural Gas activities RcommenceS.?
223

!2
1n 1l#erta engineering and materials testing firm notes >that monitoring relatively shallo domestic
ater ells ill not 0rovide advance arning of develo0ing ater =uality im0acts.?
227
2!. In Nova Scotia< Colchester County recently decided to allo &.5 million litres of frac(ing asteater<
stored in o0en 0its for years< to #e discharged into the munici0al seer system and on into the
Chiganois "iver and .ay of $undy. $rac aste had 0reviously #een discharged this ay until it as
determined that the aste as radioactive. Ahe county(s decision as a00ealed #y !: individual
a00eals,
Council of Canadians, >%e are alarmed that Colchester County is aare that naturally
occurring radioactive materials -NF"M/ and the four chemicals in the .AE\ grou0 -.enCene<
Aoluene< Ethyl4.enCene and \ylene/ are 0resent in the frac2ing asteater and still a00roves
1ISP 0lan.?
2!:

Ecology 1ction Centre, >1IS has given assurances to council of e6tensive testing of all
hydraulic fracturing fluids #efore the com0any acce0ts them for treatment....ut the evidence
indicates that there as little or no testing of fluids that 1IS #rought from Ne .runsic2.
"esults of testing 0erformed on the fluids in the Ariangle Petroleum ;ennetcoo2 aste 0onds
have #een secured and made 0u#licly availa#le through $reedom of Information. Ahese
analyses ere made availa#le to 1IS< #ut are only for a very limited num#er of chemical
com0ounds. 1IS also received from Ariangle the manifests for all the chemical com0ounds
used in the hydraulic fracturing4 #ut the amounts used are not given< and cannot #e
calculated.?
2!1
Pu#lic hearings ere held May ) and *< 2:1!. Statements ere given #y the com0any< the 'irector of
Pu#lic %or2s< Nova Scotia 'e0artment of Environment< and 15 a00ellants and intervenors< and
0resentations ere given #y 1* mem#ers of the 0u#lic ho had not filed a formal a00eal. Ahe Seer
+se 100eals Committee on #ehalf of Colchester County unanimously decided to overturn the decision
and ill not allo the discharge of the frac aste into the seer systems. Ahe 0rovincial government
had given 0artial a00roval and the com0any argued the ater ill meet federal guidelines. Ahe
Committee mem#ers decided there are too many un2nons ith >no inde0endent verification of
hich chemicals are going don the drain? and that the >river and the .ay of $undy are too im0ortant
to 0ermit such discharge on an e60erimental #asis.?
>In the end the Committee feels it is not the role of the 0unicipality to allow the )ay of $undy to
be a petri dish for fracking wastewater. "ather< it is the Munici0alityPs role to ensure the
environment is 0rotected no and in the future< and in that role, it must exercise caution to act only
when the information is complete.?
2!2
REm0hasis addedS
)nd what comes back out is much, much worse than anything you put in there, so the
real concern is, what do you do with the water that comes back outO @ecause that,s
where the potential for major environmental impact occurs.
*adisav &idic, civil and environmental engineer, Bniversity of 'ittsburgh,
on frac waste water
8AA
2&. In 2::7< a study 0u#lished in !he +ournal of ,ydrology concluded that coal#ed methane -C.M/
develo0ment has loered and ill continue to loer a=uifers in the southern 0ortion of the Poder
"iver .asin in Montana and that the dradon is significant and e6tends for miles.
2!&

!!
Ahe 1l#erta "esearch Council re0orted that static ater levels in "ose#ud ells dro00ed significantly
-in one case more than !.5 metres/ after a C.M 0roducer fractured the areaPs drin2ing ater a=uifers<
diverted fresh ater from C.M and e60erimented ith hundreds of secret shallo com0letions. Ahe
research council suggested that drought or ater use #y residents caused the declines.
2!5
1l#erta
Environment re0orted that C.M may cause >ater level decline and yield reduction in ater ells?
and >methane gas release< gas migration into shallo a=uifers< #asements< e60losions etc.?
2!)

25. 1 2::3 re0ort #y the 1l#erta "esearch Council noted that 1l#erta Environment still does not have >a
s0ecific and documented res0onse 0rocess? for investigating groundater contamination and that
>data gathering and evaluation decisions are made somehat su#Dectively.? In addition< >s0ecific
res0onsi#ilities of 1l#erta Environment toards the com0anies and ater ell oners are not clearly
delineated and a00ear to vary #eteen com0laints.?
2!*

2). In 2::)< the Ae6as "ailroad Commission recorded !51 cases of groundater contamination due to oil
and gas activity.
2!3
In 2::*< Ne Me6ico recorded *:5 incidents of groundater contamination due to
oil and gas develo0ment since 177:.
2!7
Pennsylvania environmental regulators >determined that oil
and gas develo0ment damaged the ater su00lies for at least 1)1 Pennsylvania homes< farms<
churches and #usinesses #eteen 2::3 and the fall of 2:12.?
2&:
2*. In 177)< a serious and sudden gas migration incident hile drilling as re0orted,
'ale $o6 'rilling Gas %ell on .i6#y 8ill "d< $reedom. Natural gas esca0ed thru fault in
shale< affected 0ro0erties a00r6 1 @ _ miles S% on %eaver "d. Aon of Nor2shire. Gas
#u##ling in "on 5eisPs 0ond. .u##ling in ditch est side of %eaver "d. 12 $amilies
evacuated. Gas in 5eisPs #asement -#uilt on shale/. $armerPs ell in #arn 11*:3 %eaver "d
-Steve %oldsCyn/ vented to outside. Gas coming u0 throu ground in 5eisPs yard.
2&1

$our Plaintiffs too2 the case to the Su0reme Court of the State of Ne Nor2< and on their case. In
court documents< the defendant 'ale $o6 admitted hat ha00ened,
Fn Novem#er 17
th
< e drilled into the reef. 1s e did< at a00ro6imately 2):: feet of de0th< the
reef #egan to 0roduce gas and came u0 the drilling 0i0e and s0rayed out the discharge 0i0e.
Ahe direction of the ind at the time caused the mist and gas to #e #lon #ac2 on us and the
rig. .ecause of the fire haCard< e immediately cased drilling o0erations and engaged the .FP.
%e #egan 0um0ing #rine into the ell< along ith a defoamer< #ut the 0ressure RfromS the
formation s0it the #rine #ac2 u0 as foam. $oam lac2s eight and density to 2ill a ell< so e
could not 0um0 it #ac2 in. %e used all three hundred gallons of #rine #y 3,::PM< and shut
don o0erations. %e ordered heavier fluid to 0um0 into the ell -called Gel or Mud/.
+nfortunately that could not #e delivered until the ne6t dayQ. Fn Novem#er 2:< Mud as
delivered< mi6ed and 0um0ed into the ell. %e successfully 2illed the ell. In all my years of
drilling and oil and gas or2< I have never encountered or heard a#out 0ressure li2e that from a
formation.
2&2

23. 1 com0rehensive investigation in ;ansas demonstrated that lea2ing industry gas had migrated almost
seven miles.
2&!
Ahe migrating gas caused e60losions in 2::1 in 8utchinson that destroyed to
#usinesses and damaged many others. Ao 0eo0le died from inDuries in a su#se=uent e60losion three
miles aay the ne6t day caused #y the migrating gas.
2&&

!&
27. 1l#ertaPs 'e0artment of Energy defines fracturing as, >the o0ening u0 of fractures in the formation to
ma2e gas flo more freely.?
2&5
$racturing can also result in the migration of methane >toard the land
surface through natural fractures in the roc2 and through old drill holes that ere 0oorly 0lugged hen
a#andoned. %ells that once ere good ater ells no #ecome ater and gas ells. In some cases
good ater ells #ecome #etter gas ells than ater ells.?
2&)

!:. Ahe 1l#erta "esearch Council re0orted that natural methane release in 1l#erta is rare #ecause
reservoirs are >tight?
2&*
and that nitrogen used in coal#ed methane -C.M/ recovery >increases
diffusion rate of hydrocar#on gases from coal matri6 into natural fractures.?
2&3

8ydraulic fracturing has #een associated ith gas migration into groundater as ell as groundater
dradon or contamination throughout the continent. 1 study of 2:! ater ells in an area of high
C.M density #y the +S Geological Survey found that >manmade migration 0athays 0ro#a#ly?
accounted for the contamination of shallo ater ells #y methane.
2&7
1 2::) +S Geological Survey
study discovered e6tensive methane contamination of local drin2ing ater ells in areas of intense
coal mining.
25:

!1. 1l#erta Environment<
251
1l#erta 1griculture<
252
Canada(s oil and gas lo##y grou0 -C1PP/
25!
and the
Canadian Society for +nconventional Gas
25&
arned that natural gas in ater ells can #e dangerous
to 0ro0erty and 0eo0le. %ater ells in 1l#erta contaminated ith migrant gases have #lon u0.
255

Ahe .ruce Eac2 ater ell at S0irit "iver as contaminated ith dangerous levels of methane and
ethane after near#y drilling and hydraulic fracturing. Mr. Eac2 tried for three years to get a00ro0riate
regulator res0onse< investigation and resolution.
25)

Fn May 7< 2::)< .ruce Eac2 and to industry gas4in4ater testers< ere seriously inDured and
hos0italiCed hen the contaminated ater ell e60loded<
25*
even though the oil com0any involved
had contracted the 0rofessional installation of e=ui0ment to se0arate and vent the gas to ma2e the
ater >safe?< as is recommended #y 1l#erta Environment.
253
Ahe Eac2 ater ell contamination and e60losion as featured in a documentary #y Grant Gelinas for
% News
257
and argued in the 5egislative 1ssem#ly of 1l#erta,
2):
Ahe S0ea2er, Good afternoon. 5et us 0ray.
%e confidently as2 for strength and encouragement in our service to others. %e as2 for
isdom to guide us in ma2ing good las and good decisions for the 0resent and the future
of 1l#erta. 1men. ...
'r. Sann, Ahan2 you< Mr. S0ea2er. "ural 1l#ertans have lost trust in the a#ility of this
Environment minister to 0rotect groundater and their safety. Groing rural concerns a#out
increasing gas migration into ater have #een dismissed as fearmongering #y this minister.
Fne ee2 ago in S0irit "iver a 0rivate ell e60loded< #urning and hos0italiCing three men.
1l#erta Environment has #een investigating and receiving com0laints a#out this ell for over
three years. ... Mr. S0ea2er< after to years of com0laints from 0eo0le li2e the Jimmermans<
Ernsts< 5auridsens< and others< ho can e #elieve this de0artment is 0rotecting their health
and doing a 0ro0er investigation of the com0laintsI
!5
Ahe Eac2(s ater ell the day #efore it e60loded.
2)1
Note the gas forcing ater out of the ell even though the
oil com0any had retained the 0rofessional installation of e=ui0ment to remove the gas
and vent it through the roof.
2)2
Isoto0ic finger0rinting #y 'r. ;arlis Muehlen#achs of the gases in area energy ells and the Eac2 ell
ater determined the source. Ahe case is in legal 0roceedings against Penn %est and the contracting
firm that installed the gas venting e=ui0ment.
.
.ruce Eac2 natural gas contaminated ater ell< 0hoto ta2en day of the e60losion< May 7< 2::)
!)
.ruce Eac2 in hos0ital< May 7< 2::).
.ruce Eac2 as hos0italiCed for a month. Ahere are no Canadian 'rin2ing %ater Guideline 5imits
for methane and ethane -or 0ro0ane< #utane< 0entane< etc./.
2)!
!*
1fter EnCana re0eatedly fractured the "ose#ud drin2ing ater a=uifers< the community ater toer
#le u0 in an e60losion< sending a or2er to hos0ital ith serious inDuries,
>investigators say an accumulation of gases a00ears to have caused the e60losion that destroyed
the "ose#ud ater toerQthe o0erator as una#le to detect the gases #y smell and did not use a
detection device....?
2)&

Ahe ne reservoir cost the community a#out T*::<:::.
2)5
Joly mackerel, this is an e1pensive proposition
<amuel 'otter, Colorado #il and $as Conservation Commission
(The agency in charge of cleaning up after a @ondad gas e1plosion will ask the Pegislature for
QH33,333 in emergency funding to plug an abandoned well and deal with a worsening methane
seep. ... The price tag could climb an additional Q2>3,333 if the commission decides it needs to
buy out area property owners to ensure public safety. ) trailer home e1ploded...the investigation
showed that methane gas leaking from underground reservoirs was to blame.
8CC
+
8omes and #usinesses in the +.S. have e60loded from industryPs migrating methane<
2)*
including the
$airfa6 Dress for 'ess e60losion that inDured 2! 0eo0le and caused e6tensive damages.
2)3

2)7

>Fne of the gravest dangers 0osed #y ur#an oil4ell drilling and 0roduction is the 0otential for
e60losive methane gas to migrate to the surface from several thousand feet underground. +nless
the 0resent4day 0ractices are changed< under4ground migration of methane from oil and gas
reservoirs ill continue to 0ose a significant e60losion threat.?
2*:

1 2:11 Client 1dvisory >for Fil and Gas 5ease F0erators? arns that the shift to >unconventional
drilling and heavy multi4stage frac2ing has created ne insurance issues for the industry? #ecause of
an increase in #loouts,
- during the com0letionGfrac2ing stage.
` involving communication #eteen multi0le ells.
` caused #y casingGcementing failure.
` caused #y surface events.
` involving 0roducing ells.
` involving 0lugged and a#andoned ells.
#./
In 2:11< &! families in .ain#ridge< Fhio< settled a class action lasuit 4 including the Paynes hose
house on English 'rive as lifted off its foundation in an e60losion caused #y migrating gas released
during hydraulic fracturing.
Fhio Lalley Energy and the other com0anies involved 0aid out the families and Nationide Insurance<
hich covered the Payne(s home.
2*2

Ahe folloing year< Nationide Mutual Insurance Co. #ecame the first maDor insurance com0any to
0rohi#it frac(ing ris2 related coverage,
1fter months of research and discussion< e have determined that the e60osures 0resented #y
!3
hydraulic fracturing are too great to ignore. "is2s involved ith hydraulic fracturing are no
0rohi#ited for General 5ia#ility< Commercial 1uto< Motor Aruc2 Cargo< 1uto Physical 'amage
and Pu#lic 1uto -insurance/ coverage.
>Prohi#ited ris2s? a00ly to landoners ho lease their land for fracturing o0erations and
contractors serving frac o0erations....
2*!
In 2:12< the Fntario 1ssessment "evie .oard reduced a contaminated 0ro0erty(s value for ta6ation
to Cero. >Ahe methane 0ro#lem< it ruled< is more than a mere nuisance< 0osing a real haCard. Such
haCard had a devastating effect on the current value of the house< ma2ing it unsella#le. ... Ahis case
shos ho seriously environmental contamination can affect the value of a 0ro0erty.?
2*&
.iogenic
shale gas is targeted in Fntario,
Calgary4#ased Mooncor Fil @ Gas Cor0. ants to develo0 a resource in Fntario that has #een
largely overloo2ed #y its rivals, shale gas. Q RAerry Carter< 0etroleum resources geologist ith
FntarioPs Ministry of Natural "esourcesS said the Marcellus Cone doesnPt offer much in Fntario.
>1lmost all of it is #eneath 5a2e Erie<? he said. >;ettle Point and .lue Mountain ould a00ear to
have #etter 0otential.? .oth have hat Carter descri#ed as #iogenic gas< created hen #acteria in
fresh ater come in contact ith organic4rich #edroc2. Ahe #acteria eat the organic material and
0roduce methane. >Ahe natural gas is #eing 0roduced in real time< Dust li2e in a landfill site?
2*5
.iogenic shale gas is also targetted in Manito#a, >Geochemistry results su00ort that this is an
unconventional #iogenic shallo gas 0lay.?
2*)

!2. 1 ne study
2**
in shale gas develo0ment areas ith no records of historic conventional ells in north4
central 1r2ansas re0orted that dissolved methane as detected in )!O of 51 drin2ing ater ells
sam0led. Concentrations of methane in si6 ater ells -12O/ e6ceeded :.5 mgGl< of hich the highest
as 23.5 mgGl. Fne of the researchers as re0orted saying, >Fnly a fraction of the groundater
sam0les e collected contained dissolved methane....?
2*3
Ahe researchers conclude in their 0a0er that
the methane is 0rimarily #iogenic of >local< shallo origin? and >unrelated to shale4gas e6traction in
the vast maDority of sam0les<? and that the lac2 of methane contamination is 0ossi#ly #ecause of
>#etter ell#ore integrity? andGor >a lac2 of conventional oil and gas develo0ment? 0rior to the shale
gas e6traction. >Fur findings in 1r2ansas are im0ortant< #ut e are still only #eginning to evaluate and
understand the environmental ris2s of shale gas develo0ment. Much more research is needed.?
Ahe Fs#orne et al 0eer revieed study in Northeastern Pennsylvania found that in active gas4
e6traction areas -one or more gas ells ithin 1 2m/< average dissolved methane concentrations in
drin2ing ater ells increased ith 0ro6imity to the nearest gas ell and as 17.2 mgGl9 sam0les in
neigh#oring non4e6traction sites -no gas ells ithin 1 2m/ averaged only 1.1 mgGl.
2*7

In contrast< dissolved methane concentrations in contaminated ater ells -each ith at least three gas
ells ithin one 2m/ under investigation at "ose#ud< 1l#erta averaged &!.: mgGl after a com0any
re0eatedly fractured into the a=uifers that su00ly those ells.
23:
Su#se=uent revie on sam0ling
methodology indicated that groundater gas concentrations at "ose#ud ere #eing underestimated #y
a factor of three.
231
Sam0ling #y 1l#erta Environment in 2::)
232
and 1ll Points Energy 5td. in 2:11<
23!

on a farm ater ell a#out four miles southeast of "ose#ud here Encana did not fracture the
a=uifers< found dissolved methane at :.::) mgGl and less than the detection limit of :.::5 mgGl<
res0ectively.
!7
5ea2ing energy ells and gas storage4fields have created dangerous concentrations of dissolved
methane in household ater ells as high as 72 mgGl. >In Eanuary 2::1< State oil and gas ins0ectors
noted #u##les of natural gas in ell ater during a com0laint investigation near Aioga Eunction< Aioga
County< north4central Pa.... .y 2::&< the gas occurrence in ground ater and accumulation in homes
as a safety concern.... 1lthough it is common for ground ater in the region to contain salt #rine and
hydrogen sulfide< natural gas in ground water was rarely noted by earlier investigators. 8istoric
assessments of ground4ater resources only mentioned natural gas in ater4su00ly ells converted
from gas ells.? REm0hasis addedS.
23&
Ahe ma6imum concentration found in ater ells and s0rings in oil and gas develo0ment fields in
Sas2atchean as 7&.5 mgGl.
235

Pre4drilling values of methane in groundater in Garfield County< Colorado< esta#lished natural
#ac2ground as less than 1 00m< e6ce0t in cases of #iogenic methane that is confined to 0ond and
stream #ottoms.
23)
In C1PP(s gas migration study< most of the ater su00ly ells had less than :.:5
mgGl of methane< ith the to highest Dust over 1 mgGl. 1 monitoring ater ell near a lea2ing
hydrocar#on ell in the study had 17.1 mgGl -the highest concentration in the study/< with the level of
methane generally increasing towards the top of the auifer indicating !that lateral gas phase
migration may be occurring along the top of the auifers.#
23*
REm0hasis addedS Methane data<
including fugitive thermogenic gas originated from coals< collected from the 8anford site in
%ashington 0rovides >an e6cellent case study of the shallo groundater system deflecting
hydrocar#on gas vertically and laterally. 1s shon...methane enters the shallo groundater
system...and is then trans0orted several 2ilometers southeasterly toards the Colum#ia "iver< along
the groundater flo0ath.?
233
Measurements of #aseline methane in non40olluted< non4oilfield< 0ota#le aters from Cretaceous<
Eurassic and Ariassic car#onate and sandstone a=uifers in England revealed concentrations of u0 to
:.:5 mgGl ith a mean value of less than :.:1 mgGl.
Ahe 0resence of methane...in groundater is usually only noticed hen it rises to high
concentrations.... Concentrations in e6cess of 1.5 mgGl ere only found in non40ota#le aters ith
the highest found u0 to 1) mgGl in Namurian shales. 'he only potable waters 3two4 with
extremely high levels of methane 3-88 mg"l4 were in a developed oil field.
237

Ahe .ath S0a ater has a methane concentration of 5!agG5 -Edmunds et al. 2::2/< hich is lo.
Ahe source of this as considered to #e #iogenic. It is important to know the background levels
prior to any exploration. 8ydraulic fractures have #een shon to 0ro0agate 533m vertically
from horiContal ells in the +S -'avies et al. 2:12/ and it would seem prudent to expect a
similar horizontal spread from any vertical well.
9.8
REm0hasis addedS
!!. 1 2::3 regulator re0ort summariCed the contamination of .ain#ridge< Fhio ater ells ith methane
lea2ing from a recently fractured energy ell ith faulty casing. Ahe fugitive methane caused an
e60losion seriously damaging one home and re=uired the evacuation of 17 others. Ahe com0any
immediately assumed res0onsi#ility< 0rovided tem0orary housing and >disconnected 2) ater ells<
0urged gas from domestic 0lum#ingGheater systems< installed vents on si6 ater ells< 0lugged
a#andoned in4house ater ells< 0lum#ed 2) houses to tem0orary ater su00lies< 0rovided &7 in4
house methane monitoring systems for homeoner installation< and #egan to 0rovide #ottled drin2ing
ater to &3 residences u0on re=uest.?
271
Ahe highest concentration of dissolved methane found in *7
&:
ground ater sam0les at .ain#ridge< Fhio as 1.:& mgGl.
272
Ahe highest found #y regulator sam0ling
at "ose#ud< 1l#erta as )).! mgGl -this e6cludes methane in the free gas/.
27!

If it is present, the presumption is that it,s naturally occurringF.
%r. /avid 'ryce, Canadian )ssociation of 'etroleum 'roducers (C)''+, Testimony to 'arliamentary
Committee on testing for methane in water wells
8RD
!&. C1PP arned in their 177) gas migration re0ort that if there is more than 1 mgGl of dissolved methane
in ater< >there may #e a ris2 of an e60losion< if the ater su00lies 0ass through 0oorly ventilated air
s0aces? and re0orted dramatically increased levels of methane found in groundater near lea2ing
hydrocar#on ells.
275
Ahe +S Geological Survey studying groundater in estern Colorado re0orted
that methane concentrations greater than or e=ual to 1 mgGl are considered >high.?
27)
I don!t see the day when these technologies can be used in a safe way
9u:bec!s 4atural *esources %inister and former Jydro-9u:bec engineer,
%s. %artine #uellet
8R2
'ata collected #y the +S Geological Survey in Chafin(s survey of 2:! ater su00ly ells and to
s0rings in the 1nimas "iver Lalley of Colorado and Ne Me6ico as summariCed in C1PP(s 177)
re0ort,
Gas has #een 0roduced from various formations in this area for decades. "ecent e60ansion of
the develo0ment of a coal4#ed gas field in this area has led to 0u#lic concern a#out >the
0ossi#ility of increasing concentrations of natural gas in domestic ater su00lies?. Ahe survey
indicated that the methane concentrations ere #elo the re0orting limit of :.:::5 mgGlitre in
))O of the cases. Aelve 0ercent of the sites had methane concentrations of 1 mgGlitre or
more. Ahe mean concentration as 1.! mgGl< and the ma6imum as !7 mgGlitreQ.Presence of
methane as often associated ith 0resence of 82S.
273
%ater sam0les from the 1mosG%al2er ell in Garfield County< Colorado< here EnCana received a
notice of violation and a large fine from the state regulator for im0acting the ater< shoed methane
concentrations ranging from :.1 to 1! mgGl.
277
Ahe 1mos case re0ortedly settled ith a confidentiality
agreement and 0ayout.
EnCana had received notice of violation and a record fine from the same regulator for contaminating
the .rac2en ell ater and %est 'ivide Cree2 ith methane and #enCene the year 0revious< also in
Garfield County.
!::
In 2:1!< the +S Geological Survey released an overvie of groundater =uality
data in the Piceance .asin< estern Colorado,
Methane concentrations greater than or e=ual to 1 mgG5 ere considered high.... 0ost samples
that contained detectable methane concentrations were from :arfield County -fig. 2!/.
Methane concentrations in the study area ranged from less than the detection limit -commonly
:.:::3 mgG5/ to !).* mgG5< and *5 values -3.5 0ercent/ ere greater than 1 mgG5 -high
methane/. 0ost methane detections and methane concentrations greater than - mg"; were
found in :arfield County in the 0amm Creek<2ivide Creek area -fig. 2!/. 1 sam0le from
a domestic ell in Garfield County had the highest methane concentration....
!:1
REm0hasis
addedS
&1
1 2::7 regulator re0ort summariCed )& gas migration cases in 22 counties in Pennsylvania dating
from the 177:Ps to 2::7 caused #y the oil and gas industry9 five cases ere caused #y hydraulic
fracturing that contaminated numerous ells and to s0rings used as domestic ater su00ly.
!:2
Ahe )&
cases resulted in 11 e60losions< five fatalities< three inDuries< a road closure< and numerous evacuations
ith residents in one community dis0laced for to months.
Ahe 0ro#lem is more common than regulators li2e to admit.
!:!
Ahe fugitive methane in the 'imoc2 Pennsylvania case migrated nine s=uare miles affecting 1& ater
su00lies.
!:&
1t the end of 2:11< the +S Environmental Protection 1gency -EP1/ reo0ened the
contamination investigation at 'imoc2 #ecause litigants released sealed ater data collected #y Ca#ot
Fil and Gas that indicate fracturing might #e res0onsi#le.
!:5
In March 2:12< data collected #y the EP1
at 'imoc2 re0ortedly shoed in four of si6 summaries that >methane levels e6ceeded the * mgGl
actiona#le threshold necessary for mitigation under Pennsylvania la. Q Fne of the test results
shoed methane levels at seven times that limit.?
!:)
Ahe Pennsylvania 'e0artment of Environmental Protection -'EP/ fined Chesa0ea2e Energy T7::<:::
for methane migration >u0 faulting ells? in .radford County< Pennsylvania< contaminating 1)
families( drin2ing ater in 2:1:.
!:*
Ahe 'EP found methane concentrations ranging from 2.1) to 55.3
mgGl.
!:3
>'EP Secretary Michael ;rancer said the contamination fine is the largest single 0enalty the
agency has ever levied against a drillerQ.1s 0art of the consent order issued #y the de0artment<
Chesa0ea2e ill have to remediate the contaminated ater su00lies< ta2e ste0s to fi6 the faulty gas
ells and re0ort any ater su00ly com0laints to the 'EP.?
!:7
In 2:12< the Pennsylvania regulator released a notice of violation
!1:
to Ca#ot Fil and Gas for
contaminating three 0rivate ater ells in 5eno6 A0< Sus=uehanna County< ith methane that
see0ed from a flaed natural gas ell9 the notice of violation states that the dissolved methane in one
ater su00ly Dum0ed from :.27 mgGl in a 2:1: 0re4drilling sam0le to &7.2 mgGl and 5*.) mgGl after
drilling. >It #u##led u0 in a 0rivate 0ond< a #eaver 0ond and the Sus=uehanna "iver from as many as
si6 sets of faulty ells in five tons.?
!11
Ca#ot installed methane detection alarms in three homes and
vented the three affected ater ells to 2ee0 the methane from accumulating and creating an
e60losion ris2.
!12
Ahe EP1 issued an emergency order to "ange "esources to ta2e immediate action to 0rotect
landoners ith e60losive levels of methane in their ater< >homeoners ho lived near drilling
o0erations of "ange "esources in Par2er County< Ae6as< re0orted 0ro#lems ith their ta0 ater<
com0laining that it as #u##ling and even flamma#le.?
!1!
8eavier hydrocar#ons ere also found in
the ater. 5evels of dissolved methane in the 25 affected ater ells< including to munici0al ells<
ranged from :.)2 to under 23 mgGl. >"ange e60erts say their analysis found the methane in the ater
ells is actually coming from the more shallo formation.?
!1&
In estern 5ouisiana< hundreds of families ere evacuated from their homes after an E6co "esources
natural gas ell #loout contaminated a drin2ing ater a=uifer ith methane. $orty families ere
initially evacuated9 after regulator officials detected contaminants in the surrounding %ilco6 a=uifer<
an additional 1:5 families ere evacuated.
!15
1 federal class action lasuit as filed in 2:11 #y 'avid
5. 1ndre< and other residents of Caddo Parish< claiming that the CarriCo4%ilco6 a=uifer system as
0olluted #y hydraulic fracturing.
!1)
>South Caddo Parish as the site of another high 0rofile drilling
&2
accident...hen 1) cattle ere found dead at a Chesa0ea2e Energy ell site after re0ortedly coming
into contact ith drilling fluids used in hydraulic fracturing.?
!1*
!5. Ahe +S EP1 connected natural gas and to6ic chemicals found in ater ells at Pavillion< %yoming to
Encana(s hydraulic fracturing and aste 0its.
!13
Ahe EP1 re0orted, >8ydraulic fracturing in gas
0roduction ells occurred as shallo as !*2 meters #elo ground surface ith associated surface
casing as shallo as 11: metres #elo ground surface.?
!17
In com0arison< ithin a#out si6 miles
around "ose#ud< 1l#erta -#efore 10ril 2::)< hen the government mandated testing of ater ells
0rior to fracturing coals a#ove the .ase of Groundater Protection< i0e0 here the fresh ater is/<
EnCana,
0erforated at 1::.5 metres #elo ground surface9
!2:
fractured at 121.5 metres #elo ground surface9
!21

fractured a#out 175 gas ells a#ove the .ase of Groundater Protection
!22
of hich,
)2 ere fractured at less than 2:: metres #elo ground surface9
11 ere fractured at less than 1*5 metres #elo ground surface9 and 3: had less than
)5 metres of surface casing -less than the de0th of many area ater ells/.
The way I read the E') report, the surface casings were too short and that the
cementing was inade"uate and then they fracked at very shallow depths. It!s almost
negligence.
A8A
/r. Iarlis %uehlenbachs
Ahe highest concentration of methane found #y the EP1 in citiCen ater ells at Pavillion< as :.31
mgGl<
!2&
the highest found< e6cluding the free gas< #y the regulator in citiCen ater ells at "ose#ud
as )).! mgGl.
!25
'oug 8oc2< a s0o2esman for EnCana Cor0.< as re0orted saying that the methane
contamination at Pavillion as at, >e6tremely lo? levels< indicating that it as naturally occurring
and if >this as related to oil and gas 0roduction ells< e ould #e seeing much higher levels of
methane.?
!2)
1t Pavillion< methane >identified in * drin2ing ater ells as found to #e of thermogenic origin<
meaning it originated ithin the natural gas reservoir. Fne drin2ing ater ell shoed methane
resulting from micro#ial activity< 2non as #iogenic methane.?
!2*
Ao monitoring ater ells ere
installed at Pavillion, >%ell M%:1 as com0leted to a de0th of *35 feet -ft/ #elo land surface -#ls/
and ell M%:2 as com0leted to a de0th of 73: ft #ls.? Methane concentrations in the monitoring
ells ranged from 2: to !:.5 mgGl.
!23

In 2::*< the 1l#erta "esearch Council and 1l#erta Environment oversa the drilling of to
monitoring ater ells near homes ith toddlers in the 8amlet of "ose#ud. Fne as a#out 1&: m
dee0 and 0roduced no ater< only methane and ethane<
!27
so much so< the gases forced the ater ell
lid o0en. Ahe regulator and research council left the ell venting the gases to atmos0here ithout
arning flagging or notifying the fire de0artment. CitiCens called 711. Ahe research council re0ort on
the monitoring ells states >methane as 0resent? even though EnCana or2ers detected methane
and ethane at this ell during the 711 incident.
!!:
1 com0ression ca0 ith loc2ing mechanism to
restrict access as later fitted to the ell< and a #arrier of safety flagging erected. Ahe research council
re0ort ends ith this recommendation, >Ahe "ose#ud %ell [1 ill need to #e licensed #y the RE"C.S.
Ahis 0rocess has #een initiated #y R1l#erta EnvironmentS.? Ahe re0ort does not 0rovide data on ho
&!
much methane and ethane as venting from the >gas? ater monitoring ell< or ho much dissolved
and free gas as in the ater monitoring ell.
!!1
1l#erta Environment ater monitoring ell near a 0u#lic road in the 8amlet of "ose#ud
-#efore com0ression ca0 and loc2 sho #elo/< 10ril 2::*. Ahe lid as forced o0en #y the venting gas.
.
1l#erta Environment(s ater monitoring ell in the 8amlet of "ose#ud< com0ression lid and loc2ed to mitigate
the danger #ecause this ell 0roduces gas instead of ater. 1l#erta(s ater regulator had to a00ly to the energy
regulator for gas ell licensing. 1 develo0er 0lans to #uild 1* homes at this location.
&&
Ahe Strathmore Standard re0orted on 10ril 1*< 2:1!< that "ose#ud(s ater ill #e >u0graded? to ma2e
sure it is >clean and safe? for the ne su#division< #ut did not detail ho.
!!2
$rom 10ril 1< 2::) to Eanuary 2:11< EnCana fractured ne or re4fractured a#out !:: gas ells a#ove
the .ase of Groundater Protection in the im0acted area< of hich a#out 11: ere during the 1l#erta
governmentPs community4ide investigation of "ose#udPs contaminated groundater.
!!!
Encana
continues to frac a#ove the .ase of Groundater Protection at "ose#ud
!!&
hereas Ne .runsic2
0rohi#its oil or gas e60loration or 0roduction ithin formations containing fresh groundater.
335

Mue#ec legislation ta#led in May 2:1!< a00ears to allo frac(ing into formations containing fresh
groundater if less than 5:<::: litres -5: m!/ of frac fluid is inDected.
!!)

Encana fracPing a#ove the .ase of Groundater Protection at "ose#ud< 1l#erta< 'ecem#er 15< 2:12.
&5
Ahe Canadian oil and gas industry advertised in 2:1: that >in all cases groundater and the
hydraulically fractured Cone are isolated to 0revent 0otential cross4bo of buids #eteen the natural
gas40roducing intervals and groundater a=uifers.?
!!*

If the Kcoalbed methaneL wells are completed in the same a"uifer as local water wells,
the operator should closely monitor groundwater and natural gas rates in
both Kcoalbed methaneL wells and water wells.
Changes in the water wells can then be detected and appropriate responses taken.
) 833C Canadian )ssociation of 'etroleum 'roducers (C)''+ @est 'ractice
when $erard 'rotti was C)'' Chair
AAH
The E*C@ has regulatory re"uirements in place that are designed to prevent any
hydraulic fracturing fluid from mi1ing or entering groundwater or surface water
regardless of whether or not it contains to1ic chemicals.
)lberta Energy *esources Conservation @oard (E*C@+ 'ublic 'romotional @rochure
AAR
!). Ahe Jimmerman ater ells at %etas2iin< 1l#erta< suddenly and dramatically changed after near#y
hydraulic fracturing in 2::5 #y MGL -Mi2e Gatens Lentures< name later changed to Muic2silver
"esources Inc./.
Ahe ater< investigated #y 1l#erta Environment and revieed #y the 1l#erta "esearch Council< has
&7.* mgGl methane< ethane< and heavier hydrocar#ons -C)4C5:/.
!&:
+na#le to e60lain here the
methane originated from< the research council dismissed the contamination case as natural< as it did
the "ose#ud cases,

Ahe groundater flo velocity in a 1 mm fracture ould sto0 a #u##le of 2.7 mm or less from
rising. Aherefore from this assessment if an induced connection e6isted #eteen the C.M ell
and the Jimmerman ater ells< methane #u##les ould not tend to rise in a fracture #ecause
they ould #e held #ac2 #y the donard groundater flo driven #y the gradient o#served at
the site.
!&1

Ahe research council also used this #u##le theory to dismiss the "ose#ud contamination cases.
!&2
Canada(s oil and gas lo##y grou0 -C1PP/ re0orted that for gas migration to occur< the #uoyant gas
0hase must have a sufficient 0ressure to overcome the confining 0ressure of groundater and ca0illary
forces in the 0ores along the migration 0athay.
!&!
"esearchers in the +S re0orted in a 0eer4revieed
0a0er that a >#u##le of gas can float u0ards in a fracture even in a donard moving stream of
ater that has a velocity c:.22 cmGs.?
!&&
Notes on the Jimmerman case o#tained in 2::3 #y Ernst under $reedom of Information re=uests to
the 1l#erta "esearch Council state, >isoto0e data triggered RE"C.S involvement. ... R1l#erta
EnvironmentS as2ed RMGLS to haul ater....? Ahe E"C. #ecomes involved in 1l#erta Environment
investigations hen data indicates contamination of fresh ater #y the oil and gas industry.
Ahe year 2::: historic records for the Jimmerman ell ater filed #y 1l#erta Environment on the
0u#lic ater ell data#ase state, Gas Present( No0
!&5
Ahe research council included these records in
their re0ort on the Jimmerman case< #ut did not mention them. Ahe Jimmerman historic records ere
&)
removed from the regulator(s data#ase in a#out 2:1: and re0laced ith altered records ith the Gas
Present( left #lan2.
!&)
This will be the toughest to get through. /rought is over in a year, @<E it will take us a
few years, but this could last a life time. ... We may have to move. )nd I!ve been told
that by the KE*C@L. We may have to move.
/ale Simmerman on CBC 1ews Edmonton, 833C
AD2
1l#erta Environment closed the Jimmerman case, >Ahe 1l#erta "esearch Council re0ort concludes
that coal#ed methane and other energy develo0ment 0roDects have not im0acted your ater ell. ...
Given the 0resence of gas in your ells< 1l#erta Environment recommends that you ta2e measures to
0ro0erly vent your ater ells and distri#ution system.?
!&3
Ahe Jimmerman case is 0roceeding
legally.
!&7
!*. Ahe Cam0#ell ranch ell ater at Pono2a is contaminated ith methane< ethane< 0ro0ane< #utane<
0entane< and hydrogen sul0hide.
!5:
Ahe 1l#erta "esearch Council re0orted these gases also lea2ing to
surface via soils on the lease of an energy ell ith cementing 0ro#lems near the Cam0#ell(s
contaminated ater ell.
!51
1l#erta Environment reluctantly investigated after riting the Cam0#ell(s
as the >only affected ater in 1l#erta?
!52
and retained the research council to revie
!5!
the
investigation,
Ahe re0ort concludes that the methane gas 0resent in your ater ell is 0redominantly
#iogenic< indicating it as formed at shallo de0th. Ahe re0ort also identifies a small
com0onent of dee0er gas 0resent in your ell. $urther or2 is re=uired to determine hether
this dee0er source is a lea2ing resource ell or a natural geological feature< such as a fault.
!5&
Comparisons between soil-gas-methane concentrations measured adjacent to A>8 gas-well
casings and 7R8 groundwater sites used as background measurements indicate that gas-well
annuli are more important than natural fractures for upward migration of gas. ...
%anmade migration pathways probably introduce most near-surface gas to the study area.
/aniel T. Chafin, B< $eological <urvey, 7RRD
A>>
1l#erta Environment advised the Cam0#ells their investigation as com0lete and that, >Given the
0resence of gas in your ells< 1l#erta Environment recommends that you ta2e measures to 0ro0erly
vent your ater ells and distri#ution system.?
!5)
1fter the Cam0#ells and other affected 1l#ertans o#Dected<
!5*
the fresh ater regulator clarified,
1s indicated to you in the letter sent to you on Eanuary 1)< 2::3< 1l#erta Environment has
confidence in the results 0resented #y 'r. .lyth of the 1l#erta "esearch Council regarding
your ater ell com0laint. 1l#erta Environment is su00orting the Energy "esources
Conservation .oard -E"C./ in further investigating the source of the dee0er gas in your ater
ell. ... 1l#erta Environment strongly encourages ell oners to retain a =ualified ater ell
contractor to 0ro0erly vent their ater distri#ution system as a safe means of mitigating the
0resence of gas in ater ell su00lies. ... 8ydrogen sul0hide -82S/ is a common natural
occurrence in ater ell systems< often due to the 0resence of #acteria.
!53

&*
2::2 >GeneraliCed schematic of the 0athay for su#surface va0or intrusion into indoor air?
#y the +S Environmental Protection 1gency -N1P5 H non4a=ueous 0hase li=uids/.
!57

In 2:1!< the agency u0dated this diagram.
!):
Ahe 173: historic ater ell records for the Cam0#ell(s ranch 0reviously 0u#licly filed on 1l#erta
Environment(s ater ell data#ase state, Gas Present( No0 Ahese records ere included in the 1l#erta
"esearch Council re0ort on the Cam0#ell(s case<
!)1
#ut not mentioned< and ere also 0ulled from the
regulator data#ase in a#out 2:1: and re0laced ith altered records here the information for Gas
Present( is no #lan2.
!)2

In 2::5< at least to coal#ed methane -C.M/ ells ere drilled #y Encana ith severe loss of
circulation at 12:m -ithin ater #earing Cones/ near the Cam0#ell(s ater ell9 these C.M ells
ere frac(d re0eatedly< as shallo as !!3m.
!)!
Encana 0u#licly claims the com0any stimulates 1i0e0
fracs/ C.M ith nitrogen.
!)&
1nother C.M ell near#y as 0erf(d in 2::5 at !!:4*::m ith e60ert
calculations o#tained under $reedom of Information indicating >the gas has to only migrate &:m to the
ater a=uifer....?
!)5
Aests #y 1l#erta Environment in 2::* on the Cam0#ell ater shoed it had 2&.*
mgGl dissolved nitrogen.
!))
Ahe high nitrogen as listed #ut not discussed in the research council
re0ort on the Cam0#ell case. Ahe regulators did not test any of the C.M ells< only tested 7 of the 5:
energy ells ithin a#out a mile radius of the Cam0#ell(s ell< and continue to allo more.
Ahe E"C. is monitoring
!)*

!)3
the Cam0#ell ell ater contamination hich the regulators are not
doing at %etas2iin< S0irit "iver or "ose#ud here lasuits are ongoing. Ahe regulator admits the
contamination is from a dee0 formation #ut advise the Cam0#ells it is their res0onsi#ility to ma2e the
ater safe9 nothing is #eing done to hel0 the family.
!)7
$ourteen official re0orts 4 totaling more than
1<::: 0ages over a nine year 0eriod 4 have #een com0leted on the case so far.
!*:
In the 5egislature in
2::)< the government 0romised all affected families< >safe alternate ater<? >no and into the future<?
regardless of hether the gas as from >natural flo? or not<
!*1
#ut failed to su00ly any to the
Cam0#ells.
Well, I would say that I would agree with the statement to the e1tent that it,s not the
role of )lberta Environment to advocate on behalf of the environment.
*ob *enner, %inister of Environment, 8332
A28
&3
Ahe Cam0#ells( contaminated ell ater #eing gas tested in a flo4through cell for the E"C.< 10ril !< 2:1!
Ahe #lac2 in the cell is the Cam0#ell(s ater9 it too2 2: minutes to clear. Ahe ell is 0lastic lined
and had not #een used for a#out a year. -$lo4through cells are a#out 15O efficient.
!*!
/
&7
!3. Ahe Cam0#ells and other families including the Jimmermans< Signers< 5auridsens and Ernst<
re0eatedly re=uest-ed/ com0rehensive testing and accounta#le resolution. 1l#erta guidelines re=uire
coal#ed methane -C.M/ develo0ers to >resolve any allegations of im0act on any e6isting ater
su00ly? and 0rovide >ater su00ly to the ell oner for his current ater needs.?
!*&
Instead of
adhering to this< regulators and some com0anies in 1l#erta try to discredit< insult and intimidate
citiCens ith contaminated ell ater #y claiming they refuse to coo0erate.
1n official in=uiry into the 1l#erta "esearch Council refusing to release the com0lete records used to
revie the ater contamination cases< revealed detailed notes ta2en during a May !< 2::) >C.M
"evie Meeting ith 1l#erta Environment.? -Ahe first regulator tests on the Ernst ell ere on
March !< 2::)9 critical data from this testing remains ithheld./ Ahe notes state,
4 never as a com0laint< aren(t alloed to do any investigation< and #admouthing on the side
4 still feel #ad for Eessica #ecause she clearly has #ad ater. ... Ernst is...not co4o0erative
!*5
Encana< des0ite fulfilling Ernst(s re=uest in 2::! to test her ater<
!*)
0u#licly claims on their e#site
that Ernst refuses to coo0erate
!**
,
Since #ecoming aare of Ms. Ernst(s concerns< Encana has offered to test her ater ell on a
num#er of occasions. Ao date< Encana has #een una#le to o#tain Ms. Ernst(s coo0eration in
order to 0erform the offered testing on her 0ro0erty.
!*3
Fn 10ril !:< 2:1!< a month after the Cam0#ells consented to ater testing for the thirteenth time<
1l#erta(s Energy Minister accused them of refusing to coo0erate,
Ahe sam0ling of your ell for 2:1! has not yet #een scheduled as the E"C. is currently
aiting for your consent. ... I strongly encourage your continued coo0eration ith the E"C.
and its contractor< 1l#erta Innovates 4 Aechnology $utures so that the s0ecific source can #e
identified.
!*7

!7. In Euly 2::&< an EnCana >su0ervisor error? hile 0ressure testing >to 21 M0a? on the frac(d C.M
ell that im0acted "ose#ud(s drin2ing ater a=uifers >crac2ed the remedial cement. Cement ill no
longer 0ressure test to * M0a.?
!3:
In 2::)< the 1l#erta government 2ne from their investigation at
"ose#ud that isoto0ic finger0rinting of gases from ater ells indicated a match to gases from
EnCanaPs ells
!31
and 0rovided alternate< safe ater deliveries for to years to to adversely affected
families. -Encana 0rovided deliveries to a third family and sto00ed hen the government sto00ed./
Ahe regulator refused to disclose data to com0lainants claiming >confidentiality? #ut disclosed data to
EnCana -discovered years later via $reedom of Information/.
Ahe government and regulators accused citiCens of refusing to coo0erate< hile refusing to 0rovide a
com0rehensive investigation ith a00ro0riate safety and sam0ling 0rotocols< and continued to allo
EnCana to frac more ells near here the com0any fractured the a=uifers.
5ou don!t care if it comes from fracking or a bad cement job, you suffer the
conse"uences all the same, and lose your well water
AH8
/r. Iarlis %uehlenbachs
5:
In 2::*< ithin a month of finally 0romising a com0rehensive investigation into the community4ide
contamination< the government reneged and a year later #ro2e their 0romise of safe alternate ater
deliveries >no and into the future.?
!3!
1l#erta Environment recommended the same ina00ro0riate<
unsafe mitigation 0rovided to the Eac2s, hiring a 0rofessional to se0arate and vent the dangerous
gases<
!3&
#ut instead of the com0any 0roviding it< "ose#ud landoners ere to o#tain gas se0aration
systems themselves. Ahis as necessary #ecause #y then the government and regulators 2ne from
the Eac2 case that such systems fail and to 0rotect industry< they need the lia#ility to rest on the ater
ell oners.
CitiCens #reathe< #athe in< ingest and live ith dangerous< contaminated ater or haul alternate ater.
%hen the health 0ro#lems of some "ose#ud residents ere re0orted to the authorities< the flu as
#lamed.
1t the 2:1! %1AE"tech annual conference in 1l#erta< S5" International Cor0oration 0resented on
treating methane contaminated drin2ing ater ells in a shale gas e60loration area in Pennsylvania,
Areating Methane is More Ahan Areating Methane
Methane treatment #y aeration is relatively easy and relia#le.
Chemo0ho#ia< P"< and litigation issues all had to #e addressed.
...
Methane removal is ty0ically greater than 75O< and often a#ove 73O.
Ahese high removal rates result in methane concentrations in the treated ater that are
ty0ically less than one4fifth of the RPennsylvania regulatorS treatment standard of &
mgGl.
...
Pu#lic 0reconce0tions and misunderstandings can #e as difficult to deal ith as the
ater.
!35
1 serious failure ith the aeration system< as evident ith the gas se0aration system installed for the
Eac2s -"efer to [!1./< is that treating the ater after it is 0um0ed from the ell does not mitigate the
danger in the ell itself or the a=uifer-s/ su00lying it.
&:. Some of the same to6ic contaminants found in sam0ling #y the EP1 at Pavillion ere found #y
1l#erta Environment in groundater at "ose#ud and ere dismissed< ignored or re0orted incorrectly
#y the 1l#erta "esearch Council. Ahe holly oned government agency as notified of the errors and
omissions< #ut did not correct them as is re=uired to maintain la#oratory accreditation in Canada. Ahe
contaminants include, diesel range organics< #enCene< toluene< ethyl#enCene< 6ylenes< 0hthalates< and
tert4#utyl alcohol hich is used in hydraulic fracturing and not e60ected to occur naturally in
groundater9 tert4#utyl alcohol -A.1/ is a 2non #rea2don 0roduct of methyl tert4#utyl ether
-MA.E< a fuel additive/< also used in hydraulic fracturing and not e60ected to occur naturally in fresh
groundater.
!3)

&1. Fn Se0tem#er 22< 2:11< Gas$rac -for Cre Energy Inc.GCalte6 Energy Inc./ accidentally 0erforated
and fractured a#ove the .ase of Groundater Protection near Grande Prairie contaminating fresh
groundater. 1l#erta Environment and the E"C. initiated an investigation hile continuing< for over
a year< to tell the 0u#lic that there had never #een a case of hydraulic fracturing contaminating
groundater in 1l#erta.
!3*
Fn 'ecem#er 22< 2:12< the E"C. released its investigation re0ort
51
admitting that hydraulic fracturing had contaminated fresh ater ith to6ic chemicals< including
#enCene< ethyl#enCene< toluene and 6ylenes< and >iso0ro0anolamine< #eing the selected indicating
chemical for the 0resence of the fracturing fluids.? Petroleum hydrocar#on fractions $2 through $&
concentrations decreased during the year of monitoring< ith fraction $1 shoing an anomalous
increase.
8ydraulic fracturing o0erations ere su#se=uently conducted using gelled 0ro0ane as a carrier
fluid< 0um0ing 2:.:* tonnes of sand and 1!: cu#ic metres -m!/ of gelled 0ro0ane. %hen it as
realiCed that hydraulic fracturing had occurred through the shallo 0erforations< flo4#ac2
o0erations of the fractured interval ere conducted. 1 to4ell groundater monitoring 0rogram
as initiated and is ongoing to evaluate the im0act of the incident u0on groundater. ... 1t
a00ro6imately 1!* m< the de0th here the 0erforations ere found< the coiled tu#ing Dum0ed on
the reel hile stri00ing in. Ahis as inter0reted to #e a coil ra0 0ro#lem on the coiled tu#ing reel.
Ahe 0ossi#ility that the 0erforating gun had fired at this de0th as not recogniCed at the time. ...
Ahe Gas$rac su0ervisorPs recognition of the lo shut4in 0ressure and the declining stimulation
0ressure did not a00arently trigger a =uestion at the time as to hether or not there as a 0ro#lem
ith this 0articular fracturing stage or that there may have #een any out4of4Cone communication.
!33
The accident, documented in detail in E*C@,s 7R-page report, violated the favoured gas
industry assurance that fracking will never occur above base groundwater depths. #il
and gas industry lobby group Canadian )ssociation of 'etroleum 'roducers (C)''+
insists on its public relations website morefactslessfriction.ca
AHR
that fracking production
pipes are Mbound by rock and several hundred meters below the deepest fresh water
a"uifers.N K4atural *esources CanadaL writes that
Mhydraulic fracturing is permitted only well below the deepest freshwater a"uifers.N
AR3
*eporting by Carol Pinnitt
AR7
Ahe E"C. did not levy a fine or 0unishment9 the chemicals inDected into the fresh groundater at
Grande Prairie remain secret. >%hat ePve seen is some Durisdictions here therePve #een 0ro#lems<
there have #een regulatory ga0s<? E"C.(s .o# Curran insists. It is >#ecause of that some of these
accidents have occurred. 1nd in 1l#erta those regulations are already in 0lace to 0revent that from
occurring.?
!72
>1#out &: cu#ic metres R&:<::: litresS of the 0ro0ane gel inDected underground remains
there< so no drilling is alloed in a 2::4metre radius of the ell site. ... 1 sandstone layer se0arates the
to ater sources so the ris2 to drin2ing ater as deemed (insignificant<( says 1l#erta
Environment.?
!7!
NThere,s been over 727,333 wells that have been hydraulically fractured in )lberta since
the practice began in the 7R>3s,N KE*C@!s @ob CurranL says. Curran says it,s this
understanding of the technology, )lberta,s geology, and a long-standing MstringentN
regulatory system that have prevented negative incidents in )lberta that are making
headlines in other parts of the continent.
ARD
*eporting by <u=i Thompson
AR>
In com0arison< in 2::&< EnCana re0eatedly 0erforated and fractured directly into "ose#ud(s drin2ing
ater a=uifers ithout notifying the community. Ahe regulators did not enforce the regulations in
0lace to 0rotect 1l#ertans and groundater< or the $ater Act and Al2erta3s Environmental Protection
and Enhancement Act0 EnCana< the regulators< 1l#erta 8ealth and government covered it u0
!7)
and the
52
regulators continue to allo EnCana to intentionally 0erforate and fracture a#ove the .ase of
Groundater Protection at "ose#ud.
&2. Ahe E"C. released a re0ort on the Innisfail communication event that occurred during horiContal
frac(ing of a dee0 ell that #le frac fluids and oil u0 a sus0ended ell< hich 0ooled in a farmer(s
field and as o#served dri00ing off trees along the #an2 of the "ed 'eer "iver. 8ydraulic fracturing
as #lamed< #ut again no fines or 0unishments ere levied. Ahe chemicals the or2ers found
themselves standing in hile cleaning u0 the #loout remain secret.
!7*

&!. Ahe 1l#erta "esearch Council 4 #efore the name as changed to 1l#erta Innovates4Aechnologies
$utures and EnCanaPs LP Gerard Protti as a00ointed to the .oard 4 stated on its e#site,
!73
>%e
deliver innovative science and technology solutions< meeting the 0riorities of industryQ.?
1l#ertaPs >%orld Class? regulators do not re0ort or ma0 cases of groundater contamination caused
#y the 0etroleum industry. $or years< theyPve insisted to the 0u#lic< adversely affected ater ell
oners and concerned landoners that it >never? ha00ens< and #lame nature< #acteria< sam0 gas and
or 0oor ater ell construction and maintenance.
In )lberta, it,s almost a religious belief that gas leaks can,t contaminate groundwater.
/r. Iarlis %uehlenbachs
ARR
&&. In $e#ruary 2:12< Cal 8ill< e6ecutive manager of the "egulatory 'evelo0ment .ranch of the E"C.<
e60lained in a 0ress conference on hydraulic fracturing that methane is #uoyant and loo2s for a ay
u0 to the surface. >Ahere is an e60ectation you are going to find some signal in groundater. 8o did
it get there and ho did the oil and gas activity e6acer#ate that 0ro#lem. AhatPs a com0licated 0ro#lem
that ePd elcome more ansers to.?
&::
8e remained non4committal hen as2ed if the E"C. ould
im0lement recommendations 0ro0osed #y isoto0ic gas finger0rinting e60ert 'r. ;arlis
Muehlen#achs.
&:1

Ahe recommendations< >not onerous<? include, #aseline isoto0ic finger0rinting of methane< ethane and
0ro0ane for,
Pre4develo0ment ater ells
Production gases
'etailed gas isoto0e stratigra0hy -mudgas isoto0e log/
Gases from,
conductor< surface and intermediate casings9 legacy ells if 0resent9 and
natural see0s< s0rings and soil.?
&:2
&5. $e#ruary 3< 2:1!< a final re0ort #y Canada(s Environment Commissioner< Mr. Scott Laughan< as
ta#led in Parliament.
Ahe re0ort includes a #racing cha0ter on hydraulic fracturing< critical highlights include,
Fn average< fracturing a shale gas ell re=uires 11 million litres of ater. Ahe chemicals ma2e
u0 #eteen :.5 0ercent and 2 0ercent of the fluid< or #eteen 55<::: and 22:<::: litres of
chemicals 0er ell. Q
5!
+nder the Canadian Environmental Protection 1ct< 1777 -CEP1 1777/< 8ealth Canada and
Environment Canada share the mandate for assessing hether su#stances used in Canada are
to6ic to human health or the environment. 1ccording to CEP1 1777< a su#stance is to6ic if it is
entering or may enter the environment in a =uantity or concentration or under conditions that
-a/ have or may have an immediate or long4term harmful effect on the environment or
its #iological diversity<
-#/ constitute or may constitute a danger to the environment on hich life de0ends< or
-c/ constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.
CEP1 1777 re=uires Environment Canada and 8ealth Canada to develo0 control measures for
su#stances determined to #e to6ic or ca0a#le of #ecoming to6ic.
Environment Canada also maintains the National Pollutant "elease Inventory< hich< as stated
earlier< is a legislated< 0u#licly accessi#le inventory of 0ollutant releases< dis0osals< and
transfers for recycling. In addition< under the Pest Control Products 1ct< 8ealth Canada has the
mandate to 0revent unacce0ta#le ris2s to 0eo0le and the environment from the use of 0est
control 0roducts< such as #iocides and antimicro#ials. Ahese chemicals are also used in
fracturing fluid. ...
%e as2ed Environment Canada for an u0date on the status of its revie of the National
Pollutant "elease Inventory -NP"I/ that the 'e0artment said as under ay in Fcto#er 2:11.
1ccording to Environment Canada< the NP"I is a >maDor starting 0oint for identifying and
monitoring sources of 0ollution in Canada and in develo0ing indicators for the =uality of our
air< land< and ater. NP"I information also hel0s to determine if regulatory or other action is
necessary to ensure 0ollution reductions< and if so< the form that action should ta2e.?
Ahe Minister of the Environment has discretion regarding industry re0orting re=uirements.
%nvironment Canada told us that oil and gas exploration and drilling activities are
exempt from reporting to the 6=(I. 1ccording to Environment Canada< in order to consider
hether changes to NP"I re0orting re=uirements are arranted< the 2epartment needs to
know specifically what substances are used for hydraulic fracturing as ell as their
volumes and concentrations.
Environment Canada and 8ealth Canada told us that hile a 0artial list of su#stances that are
li2ely to #e used in hydraulic fracturing has #een develo0ed< a complete list of substances
used in Canada is not known.
Environment Canada informed us that it has initiated internal discussions on the NP"I revie<
#ut that official sta2eholder engagement and consultations have not #een initiated. .oth
Environment Canada and 8ealth Canada told us that they consider hydraulic fracturing to #e
an emerging glo#al issue that they are #eginning to investigate. Environment Canada told us
that it e60ects to com0lete the revie and determine hether changes are arranted #y March
2:1&.
%e as2ed Environment Canada and 8ealth Canada hat they have done to identify and assess
the ris2s 0osed #y hydraulic fracturing su#stances. Ahey told us that< under the Canadian
5&
Environmental Protection 1ct< 1777 -CEP1 1777/< they are a#le to consider ne information
and< if a00ro0riate< assess and manage identified ris2s to 0rotect human health and the
environment.
Ahe de0artments informed us that they are folloing a three4ste0 a00roach for res0onding to
emerging issues< such as hydraulic fracturing,
identifying the su#stances #eing used<
assessing ris2s to the environment or human health< and
esta#lishing control measures to manage the ris2s 0osed #y su#stances determined to #e
to6ic or ca0a#le of #ecoming to6ic.
Environment Canada and 8ealth Canada indicated that they are currently gathering
information to develo0 a 0ath forard for hydraulic fracturing su#stances< which may or
may not include proceeding with risk assessments and risk management.
Ahe de0artments told us that they are considering a voluntary survey of com0anies engaged
in hydraulic fracturing to gather information on the su#stances and ho they are #eing used. ...
Ahe de0artments have develo0ed a 0artial list of more than 3:: su#stances 2non to #e used or
sus0ected to #e used for hydraulic fracturing in the +nited States and 0arts of Canada. Ffficials
told us that although the de0artments have not carried out ris2 assessments on the use of these
su#stances for hydraulic fracturing< !! of the su#stances on the list had 0reviously #een
assessed as to6ic in other a00lications -for e6am0le< #enCene in gasoline/. ...
8oever< the departments have not yet decided whether to carry out risk assessments of
the substances when used for hydraulic fracturing.
'he departments informed us that a risk assessment typically reuires a minimum of -7
months per substance, assuming that sufficient data is available and the necessary
methodologies exist.
+nder CEP1 1777< Environment Canada and 8ealth Canada are re=uired to develo0 control
measures for su#stances determined to #e to6ic or ca0a#le of #ecoming to6ic.
Control measures< such as regulations and 0ollution 0revention 0lans< are intended to reduce
the ris2s associated ith the use and release of to6ic su#stances.
%nvironment Canada informed us that it takes about three years to establish control
measures. Q %nvironment Canada and >ealth Canada told us that they are still working
toward gaining a better understanding of the substances contained in hydraulic
fracturing fluid and the risks associated with the hydraulic fracturing process. REm0hasis
addedS
&:!
&). 1l#erta alloed a#out 1*1<::: oil and gas ells
&:&
to #e hydraulically fractured ithout this critical
information and continues to do so -"efer #elo to the $e#ruary 2:1! Ma0 #y Energy Statistics
Fffice/. Fnly on May 22< 2:1!< did the energy regulator finally release a frac 'irective. -It does not
mandate #aseline ater ell testing or com0letion of community health ris2 assessments./
&:5
55
Ma0 0resented #y the E"C. March 1&< 2:1! at >Ahe $rac2ing Aruth? E60ert Panel in Calgary.
&:)
5)
&*. 10ril 1< 2:1!< the 1l#erta government a00ointed 0ast EnCana -and Cenovus/ senior e6ecutive Mr.
Gerard E. Protti to Chair the ne 1l#erta Energy "egulator for a five year term.
&:*

8eading the Energy "egulator< Mr. Protti ill control the E"C.< 1l#erta Sustaina#le "esource
'evelo0ment< 1l#erta Environment< 1l#erta(s fresh ater and fresh ater ell records.
Isn!t appointing $erard 'rotti to regulate the energy industry in )lberta,
like appointing the Wolf to protect the Three 'igsO Je can!t, even if he!d like to.
Je!s a !wolf! with an appetite for large amounts of oil and gas revenue.
6oan 5oung, )pril >, 837A
2)8
In 2:12< the government 0assed legislation to ma2e the ne Energy "egulator -and anyone or2ing
there< or su#contracting to the Energy "egulator/ immune from lasuits< including for omissions such
as failing to 0rotect 1l#ertans and ater from industry(s massive< >e60ensive? gas migration 0ro#lem.
In 2:1142:12< the E"C. as )*.*)O funded #y industry<
&:7
today< >the REnergy "egulatorS is entirely
funded #y industry.?
&1:

We have nothing to hide
Canadian )ssociation of 'etroleum 'roducers (C)''+ president /ave Collyer
D77
&3. Mr. Protti(s a00ointment to monitor im0acts to environment and ater from the energy industry is rife
ith conflict of interest. 8e,
served as $ounding President and Chairman of C1PP since its ince0tion in Fcto#er 1772
&12
to
Se0tem#er 15< 2::3<
&1!
hen the President of Shell Canada as a00ointed to ta2e over9
served as EnCana senior e6ecutive 1775 to 2::79
is E6ecutive 1dvisor to Cenovus Energy -s0lit from EnCana in 2::7
&1&
/< 2:1: to current9
&15

as a00ointed #y Frder in Council to the .oard of the 1l#erta "esearch Council -after the
name as changed to 1l#erta Innovates 4 Aechnology $utures/< 2:1: to 'ecem#er 2:1!9
as a00ointed #y Frder in Council on Euly 2)< 2:11 to Lice4chair of the .oard of 'irectors of
1l#erta Innovates K Aechnology $utures9
&1)
as a .oard mem#er of 'arian "esources 5td.9
&1*
is a 'irector of Petromanas Energy Inc.9
&13
is on the .oard of 'irectors of Su#4Fne Aechnology<
&17
strategic 0artner ith $lint
Inner1rmour and Muinn(s Filfield Su00ly9
is Chairman of $lint Aransfield Services Inc.
&2:

is a Lice Chair of Energy Policy Institute of Canada -EPIC/9
&21
and
as still a registered lo##yist for EPIC hen he as a00ointed.
&22
Mr. Protti(s 2eynote s0eech at the 2::5 Pu#lic Policy $orum(s Second 1nnual %estern Conference
revealed that EnCana had >#egun to set u0 innovative develo0ment strategies<? including,
4 Aargeting royalties
4 "egulatory streamlining....
&2!
Ahe Energy Policy Institute of Canada rites deregulation 0olicy and lo##ies government to
im0lement regulatory reform,
5*
Governments should ma2e it clear that a goGno4go decision on 0roDects re=uires an early
determination of hether a >sho4sto00er? environmental effect is li2ely.
'etailed monitoring and studies should only #e re=uired at the 0ermitting stage.
&2&

That!s actually fairly common.
D8>
EnCana vice president of corporate relations, %r. $erard 'rotti
in a 833C interview about 6essica Ernst!s flammable water
If the Kcoalbed methane (C@%+L wells are completed in the same a"uifer as local water
wells, the operator should closely monitor groundwater and natural gas rates in both
C@% wells and water wells. Changes in the water wells can then be detected and
appropriate responses taken.
) 833C Canadian )ssociation of 'etroleum 'roducers (C)''+ @est 'ractice
D8C

when $erard 'rotti was C)'' Chairman
Ernst ater< after EnCana fractured the a=uifer that su00lies the Ernst ell at "ose#ud.
)l <trauss has noted that most of the bigger complaints come from people who moved
in but didn!t put in the well, that think water comes from taps (like city people+. ...
(Encana has also been drilling people new wells ? giving them Q+
4otes from coalbed methane review meeting with )lberta Environment, %ay A, 833C
D82
)l <trauss is a retired )lberta Environment water well tester. Jis 833C results on the Ernst well remain withheld.
53
@ruce 6ack Water Well E1plosion
<pirit *iver, )lberta, %ay R, 833C
CBC 1ews0 TK@ruce 6ackL called )lberta Environment. )fter all, he thought, it!s the
department!s job to protect )lberta!s fresh water. ... Je didn!t get the response he was looking
for.T
@ruce 6ack0 TI was told, it!s really a grey area. ...If it!s oilfield related, it!s the EB@....if it!s not
oilfield related, it!s K)lberta EnvironmentL, so until it!s proven...nobody!s responsible.T
CBC 1ews0 T@ruce 6ack called the Energy Btilities @oard, the EB@.T
EB@ Know E*C@, soon to be )lberta Energy *egulator ()E*+L0 TWe respond to 733U of
complaints.T
CBC 1ews0 TE1cept this complaint, EB@ decided was outside its jurisdiction.T
EB@0 T)lberta environment is responsible for water wells in )lberta.T
CBC 1ews0 TTrue, says )lberta Environment, but...T
)lberta Environment Ksoon to be )E*L0 TThe EB@ regulates oil and gas in this province. We
work with the EB@ staff as partners in these investigations.T
CBC 1ews0 T)nd the EB@ has lots of faith in the oil industry!s track record when it comes to
their gas wells leaking into people!s water wells. EB@ records show, it virtually never happens.T
/r. Iarlis %uehlenbachs0 TThat!s simply false, that!s simply false.T
CBC 1ews0 TThe truth is, this scientist says, is that the EB@ hasn!t looked very hard. It!s not
that there isn!t gas in well waterE there!s lots of it. @ut oil companies are almost always
e1onerated. The EB@ has always said it is not the companies polluting underground a"uifers.
The gas is blamed on natural causes0 biofouling, so called swamp gas.T
/r. Iarlis %uehlenbachs0 T%icrobial gas, swamp gas, is very possibly generated and therefore
that!s the likely e1cuse. @ut, I don!t think anyone has actually gone to the trouble of poking
around in a biofouled well and seeing if the little bubbles are coming out of the biofouling or if
they!re coming out of the a"uifer. ...T
...
EB@0 TIndustry knows the rules, understands the rules and are following the rules. ...
...
<tephanie Cowles, @ruce 6ack!s neighbour0 TIs it the EB@!s responsibilityO #r is it )lberta
Environment!s responsibilityO They play ring around the rosie about people!s water wells.T
@ruce 6ack0 TThey!re supposed to be our regulators, but it doesn!t seem they!re doing it. I
don!t have a bunch of faith in either one of them right now.T
Transcribed from0 Bruce 3ack Well Water 4/plosion documentar!
2%8
57
#ur success will be defined nationally and internationally by third parties
)lberta Energy %inister Ien Jughes, 837A
D8R
I,d like to engage a group of independent e1perts
who will give us comments on how we are meeting our objectives ...
I don,t think I have had as e1citing an opportunity like this, in my career....
)lberta Energy *egulator Chair, $erard 'rotti, 837A
DA3
'eople often talk about the mysterious chemicals involved in hydraulic fracturing, but
what about the possibility of fracked wells leaking natural gas, methane, and other
problem substances into the environmentO #ur guest says, "uite a few fractured wells
in @ritish Columbia leak from day one. 4ow here,s an interview he gave at a website
called tyee.ca, he says that generally...soon as the leaks enter groundwater, the
industry goes into denial. ... Well, joining us from Edmonton is Iarlis %uehlenbachs.
Je,s a geochemist, and professor at the Bniversity of )lberta.
Business 1ews 1etwork, 6anuary 7A, 837A
DA7
No one pays any attention to me.
The Alberta regulators are only interested in optimizing production.
DA8
/r. Iarlis %uehlenbachs
Independent, world-renowned, gas fingerprinting e1pert
):
'able -* 2issolved 0ethane Concentrations in ?ater ?ells 2iscussed in this )rief
6ear @il and :asA >ighest Concentration 2etected
Pavillion< %yoming Nes :.31 mgGl -citiCen ells/
.radford County< Fhio Nes 1.:& mgGl -caused home e60losion/
1l#ertaGSas2atchean
Canadian 1ssociation of
Petroleum Producers
Study -C1PP/
Nes 17.1 mgGl near 2non
lea2ing hydrocar#on ell.
-1 mgGl H ris2 of e60losion if ater
0asses 0oorly ventilated s0ace/
1r2ansas Nes 23.5 mgGl
Colorado
+SGS
Nes !).* mgGl
-1 mgGl considered >high?/
ColoradoGNe Me6ico
ChafinG+SGS
Nes !7 mgGl
))O c :.:::5 mgGl -re0orting limit/
Ne Nor2 +SGSG'EP Nes &5 mgGl
'imoc2< Pennsylvania Nes &7 mgGl
7 s=uare miles contaminated
%etas2iin< 1l#erta Nes &7.* mgGl
.radford County<
Pennsylvania
Nes 55.3 mgGl 1fter
2.1) mgGl Pre4drill
5eno6 County<
Pennsylvania
Nes 5*.) 1fter
:.27 Pre4drill
Fs#orne et al
Pennsylvania
Nes
1 or more gas ells ithin 1 2m
No gas ells ithin 1 2m
8ighest H )& mgGl
1verage H 17.2 mgGl
1verage H 1.1 mgGl
"ose#ud< 1l#erta Nes< a=uifers frac(d
! or more gas ells ithin 1 2m
S of "ose#ud< a=uifers not frac(d
8ighest H )).! mgGl
1verage H &! mgGl
c:.::5 mgGl
Aioga County<
Pennsylvania
Nes< 5ea2ing gas storage 72 mgGl
5: s=uare miles contaminated
Sas2atchean Nes 7&.5 mgGl
+nited ;ingdom Nes 1:: mgGl
)1
Mue#ec $rac moratoria, #lue< shale gas only -.ill !*< ta#led May 15< 2:1!/9 green -5a 13< 0assed Eune 1!< 2:11/.
If 0assed< the ne moratorium is to last five years or until Mue#ec ado0ts a hydrocar#on la.
&!!
1reas 0ermitted to oil and gas com0anies.
&!&
'ar2 green are 0ar2s and 0rotected areas.
Ma0s from "egrou0ement interrXgional sur le gaC de schiste de la vallXe du Saint45aurent.
)2
%ndnotes"(eferences
5in2s change fre=uently and documents are often removed from 0u#lic access< es0ecially since the
Government of Canada #ecame the >8ar0er Government?
M'otential for $as %igration due to Coalbed /evelopmentN is a summary of the science related
to potential coalbed gas migration in a natural environment and in response to coalbed
methane development. It provides useful information on the factors contributing to coalbed
gas occurrence and migration. The report concludes that gas migration due to natural
pathways is unlikely to occur for the areas of active or anticipated C@% development (the dry
andVor underpressured coals in the Jorseshoe Canyon and deeper %annville formations+. It
also highlights the potential higher risk for gas migration where there are very shallow coals....
)lberta Environment and Energy *esources Conservation @oard *esponse to the 833R *eport
M'otential for $as %igration /ue to Coalbed %ethane /evelopmentN
.or the moment the fracking technology should not be used
for commercial production of shale gas, in view of serious gaps
in our knowledge about its environmental impacts.
$erman )dvisory Council on the Environment, %ay A7, 837A
)!
1
Standing Committee on Energy< the Environment and Natural "esources. Novem#er< 2::5. %ater in the %est,
+nder Pressure $ourth Interim "e0ort.
2
Suro< "o#erto May !< 1772. 1#andoned Fil and Gas %ells .ecome Pollution Portals !he New 4ork !imes
!
Croe< 1.S.< ;.1. Schaefer< 1. ;ohut< S.G. Shi2aCe< C.E. Ptace2. 2::!. Groundater Muality Canadian
Council of Ministers of the Environment. %inni0eg< Manito#a. 5in2ing %ater Science to Policy %or2sho0
Series. "e0ort No. 2.
&
Ni2iforu2< 1. 'ecem#er 17< 2:11. $rac2ing Contamination >%ill Get %orse?, 1l#erta E60ert Ahe Ayee
5
PF%E"S1l#erta Press "elease< 1ugust 22< 2:11. %hat $resh 8ell is thisI
)
PF%E"S1l#erta Press "elease< Se0tem#er 1:< 2:11. %hat $resh 8ell is AhisI
*
PF%E"S1l#erta $rac2 %or2sho0. Se0tem#er 1:< 2:11. %hat $resh 8ell is AhisI
3
$a2ete< E. and ". Penty. Environment Canada to study hydraulic fracturing Post Media News and algary
,erald< Se0tem#er 21< 2:11. Previously availa#le at
htt0,GG.calgaryherald.comGtechnologyGFttaadentersdde#atedoverdshaleddevelo0mentG5&!33)3Gstory.html
7
Council of Canadian 1cademies. 2:12. Ahe E60ert Panel on 8arnessing Science and Aechnology to +nderstand
the Environmental Im0acts of Shale Gas E6traction.
1:
Council of Canadian 1cademies e#site. May !:< 2:1!. 8arnessing Science and Aechnology to +nderstand
the Environmental Im0acts of Shale Gas E6traction.
11
Council of Canadians. Eanuary 25< 2:1!. $rac2ing revie flaed< relies on industry information
12
Natural "esources Canada. Eanuary< 2::). "esults to the Information "e=uest #y ;en "u#en to Natural
"esources Canada under the Access to Information Act0

1!
"osen#erg International $orum on %ater Policy. $e#ruary< 2::*. "e0ort of the "osen#erg International
$orum on %ater Policy to the Ministry of Environment< Province of 1l#erta +niversity of California< 'ivision of
1griculture and Natural "esources
1&
'yc2< Ao#an< 10ril 12< 2:1!. Manito#aPs dar2 secret. "5ectator !ri2une
15
'yc2< Ao#an< 10ril 12< 2:1!. Manito#aPs dar2 secret. "5ectator !ri2une
1)
+S Environmental Protection 1gency. 'ecem#er< 173*. EP1 "e0ort to Congress, Management of %astes
from the E60loration< 'evelo0ment< and Production of Crude Fil< Natural Gas< and Geothermal Energy Lolume
1 of ! Fil and Gas< EP1G5!:4S%4334::!< 'ecem#er 173*
1*
+r#ina< I. !he New 4ork !imes< 1ugust !< 2:11. 'rilling 'on< Fne Aainted %ater %ell< and Concern Ahere
May .e More
13
;ooyman< "%< M. Muir< "P Marcine< and ; .ennaceur. Se0t4Fct 1737. Effective 8ydraulic $racturing Ff
Ahe 5oer 1maranth $ormation In Southern Manito#a in +ournal of anadian Petroleum !echnology Lol 23<
No. 5< Pa0er No 374:54:5.
17
Canadian Natural Gas< 2:1: $ull Potential, +nconventional Gas 'evelo0ment in Canada0 anadian Natural
Gas is s0onsored #y the Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers and other industry lo##y grou0s.
2:
EnCana. 1dvertising #rochure availa#le on the com0any e#site .encana.com on Se0tem#er 17< 2:11.
>Muic2 Info, 8ydraulic $racturing.?
21
%right< ;. 10ril 17< 177!. $oul %ater 5eads to Court Methane Contamination from C.M in ,igh ountry
News
Chafin< 'aniel< A. 177&. Source and Migration Pathays of Natural Gas in Near4Surface Ground %ater .eneath
the 1nimas "iver Lalley< Colorado and Ne Me6ico +SGS %ater "esources Investigations "e0ort 7&4&::).
5egal Environmental 1ssistance $oundation< Inc. >-5E1$/ and "u#en and Cynthia McMillan 0etition to the
EP1 regarding ater ell contamination in 1la#ama from C.M< 1775?
"ogers< S. M. 2::7. 8istory of 5itigation Concerning 8ydraulic $racturing to Produce Coal#ed Methane
State Fil and Gas .oard of 1la#ama< IFGCC 5egal and "egulatory 1ffairs Committee
22
%right< ;. 10ril 17< 177!. $oul %ater 5eads to Court Methane Contamination from C.M in ,igh ountry
News
2!
I#rahim< Mariam. Euly *< 2:1:. Calmar residents 2no the drill as com0any or2s to ca0 a#andoned ell !he
Edmonton +ournal0
2&
%illiams< .. May &< 2:11. Press "elease Calmar 8omeoners Suing Aon of Calmar and 1Ctec 8ome Sales
Inc over 5ea2ing %ells
25
!6 News. Eune !< 2:1:. 1#andoned gas ell in Calmar leads to more =uestions
2)
'ouglas 8. 8amilton< '. 8.< and "ichard 5. Meehan. 1772. Cause of the 1735 "oss Store E60losion and
Fther Gas Lentings< $airfa6 'istrict< 5os 1ngeles In Engineering Geology Practice in "outhern alifornia7
Association of Engineering Geologists7 "5ecial Pu2lication No0 80
2*
'ouglas 8. 8amilton< '. 8.< and "ichard 5. Meehan. 2:::. Methane dangers in 5os 1ngeles lin2ed to aste
dis0osal in old oilfields Pa0er 0resented at Meeting of the Pacific Section Convention 1merican 1ssociation
Petroleum Geologists and %estern "egional Meeting of the Society of Petroleum Engineers %estin 8otel< 5ong
.each< +une #999 "ession( Environmental 'ia2ilities Associated with &il Industry &5erations
23
Ghilingar< G.L. and .. Endres. 2::5. Environmental haCards 0osed #y the 5os 1ngeles .asin ur#an oilfields,
an historical 0ers0ective of lessons learned in Environmental Geology -2::5/ &*,!:24!1*
27
SchmitC< "on< P. Carlson< M. '. %atson< and .. P. Erno. 177!. 8us2y FilPs Gas Migration "esearch Effort K
an +0date.
!:
National Energy .oard< Novem#er 2::7 1 Primer for +nderstanding Canadian Shale Gas K Energy .riefing
Note
!1
Stonehouse< 'arrell. 2::*. Money and .rains Stealth Lenture and Canyon Aechnical Services 0artner to
anser unconventional fracturing challenges in Energy Evolution !he :ise of ;nconventional Gas in
anada Lol. 1< 2::*< Canadian Society for +nconventional Gas -CS+G/ name later changed to Canadian
Society for +nconventional "esources -CS+"/ and +une $arren Pu2lishing 'td0
!2
Ahe E"C. -0reviously E+./ falls under or #ecomes the 1l#erta Energy "egulator -1E"/< Eune 2:1!.
!!
E"C. -E+./. 10ril )< 1777. General .ulletin G. 774:). 100lication of sta#le car#on isoto0e ratio
measurements to the investigations of gas migration and surface casing vent flo source detection0 "ecently
removed from the E"C. e#site< status changed to >internal use.?
!&
.achu< S. -1l#erta Energy and +tilities .oard/ and A. %atson -A.5. %atson and 1ssociates Inc/. 2::*. $actors
1ffecting or Indicating Potential %ell#ore 5ea2age Presentation to the !
rd
IE14G8G %ell#ore %or2sho0< March
1241!< 2::*. SPE Pa0er 1:)31*< 2::
!5
National Ground %ater 1ssociation. May 2&< 2:1!. Eournal article evaluates methane sources in groundater
in Pennsylvania
!)
Muehlen#achs< ;. Novem#er 1&< 2:11. Identifying the Sources of $ugitive Methane 1ssociated ith Shale
Gas 'evelo0ment. Presentation in %ashington< +S1, "esources for the $uture. Managing the "is2s of Shale
Gas, Identifying a Pathay toard "es0onsi#le 'evelo0ment
!*
5emay< A.G.< and ;onhauser< ;.F. Se0tem#er< 2::). %ater Chemistry of Coal#ed Methane "eservoirs E"C..
E+.G1GS S0ecial "e0ort :31.
!3
Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers G Lan Stem0voort< '. ".< E. E. Eaors2i< and M. "ieser. 177).
>Migration of Methane into Groundater from 5ea2ing Production %ells Near 5loydminster9 "e0ort for Phase 2
-1775/.? C1PP Pu#. [177)4:::!.
!7
1l#recht< Aammy. 1ugust 2::3. +sing se=uential hydrochemical analysis to characteriCe ater =uality
varia#ility at Mamm Cree2 Gas $ield 1rea< Southeast Piceance .asin< Colorado. 1 thesis su#mitted to the
$aculty of Arustees of the Colorado School of Mines in 0artial fulfillment of the re=uirements for the degree of
Master of Science -8ydrology/.
&:
1r2adas2iy< S. ;. Muehlen#achs< C. MendoCa< and .. SCat2os2i. 2::5. 1naero#ic o6idation of natural gas
in soil K Ahe geochemicals evidenceI Goldschmidt Conference 1#stracts 2::5. 'ife in E<treme Environments.
&1
Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers G Lan Stem0voort< '. ".< E. E. Eaors2i< and M. "ieser. 177).
>Migration of Methane into Groundater from 5ea2ing Production %ells Near 5loydminster9 "e0ort for Phase 2
-1775/.? C1PP Pu#. [177)4:::!.
&2
Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers G Lan Stem0voort< '. ".< and E. E. Eaors2i. 1775. >Migration of
Methane into Groundater from 5ea2ing Production %ells Near 5loydminster9 March 1775.? C1PP Pu#.
[17754:::1. Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers.
&!
+S Environmental Protection 1gency. Eune< 2::& Evaluation of Im0acts to +nderground Sources of 'rin2ing
%ater #y 8ydraulic $racturing of Coal#ed Methane "eservoirs Cha0ter ! Characteristics of Coal#ed Methane
Production and 1ssociated 8ydraulic $racturing Practices EP1 31)4"4:&4::!
+S Environmental Protection 1gency. Eune< 2::&. Pu#lic Comment and "es0onse Summary for the Study of
the Potential Im0acts of 8ydraulic $racturing of Coal#ed Methane %ells Fn +nderground Sources of 'rin2ing
%ater0
&&
'avies< "ichard E0< Simon Mathias< Eennifer Moss< Steinar 8ustoft and 5eo Ne0ort. 10ril 21< 2:12.
8ydraulic fractures, 8o far can they goI in Marine and Petroleum Geology
-2:12/< doi,1:.1:1)GD.mar0etgeo.2:12.:&.::1
&5
.achu< S. -1l#erta Energy and +tilities .oard/ and A. %atson -A.5. %atson and 1ssociates Inc/. March 17<
2::3. %ell#ore 5ea2age Potential in CF2 Storage or EF" $ourth %ell#ore Integrity Netor2 Meeting< Paris<
$rance.
&)
Castelvecchi< 'avide. Eune !:. 2:11. $rance #ecomes first country to #an e6traction of natural gas #y frac2ing.
"cientific American
&*
% News. Novem#er 27< 2:11 $ractured $uture ' oes the natural gas industry need a ne messengerI 1
series of s0ecial o04eds a#out the shale gas industry
&3
Muehlen#achs< ;. Novem#er 1&< 2:11. Identifying the Sources of $ugitive Methane 1ssociated ith Shale
Gas 'evelo0ment. Presentation in %ashington< +S1, "esources for the $uture. Managing the "is2s of Shale
Gas, Identifying a Pathay toard "es0onsi#le 'evelo0ment
&7
CetX< Charles. 'ecem#er 27< 2:11. Eau contaminXe, le ministre 1rcand 0rend la situation ftrYs au sXrieu6g
+n4official translation. 'a Presse.
5:
CetX< Charles. Eanuary 1*< 2:12. GaC de schiste dans l(eau, le chercheur s(est trom0X< affirme MuX#ec 'a
Presse.
51
Muehlen#achs< ;. +0dated Eanuary< 2:12. Identifying the Sources of $ugitive Methane 1ssociated ith Shale
Gas 'evelo0ment< u0dated Eanuary 2:12 ith ne data Friginal 0resented on Novem#er 1&< 2:11 in
%ashington< +S1, :esources for the Future0 Managing the "is2s of Shale Gas, Identifying a Pathay toard
"es0onsi#le 'evelo0ment
52
Emails to Ernst versus Encana 2:12.
5!
National Energy .oard< Novem#er 2::7 1 Primer for +nderstanding Canadian Shale Gas K Energy .riefing
Note
5&
%il#er< Aom. May 15< 2:1!. Efforts to test Marcellus in u0state NN 0roduces lea2y ell CarriCo cres on site to fi6
casing 0ro#lem in Fego. "hale Gas :eview0
55
:adio-anada. 10ril 11< 2:1!. $uite de gaC sur le site du 0uits 8aldimand no 1. 1mie du "ichelieu translation
Gas lea2 at ell site 8aldimand 1 10ril 1!< 2:1!.
5)
$ournier< Eohanne. 10ril 12< 2:1!. 'u gaC dXtectX h 8aldimand no 1 'aPresse0 Aranslation Gas detected
8aldimand No. 1 #y Amie du :ichelieu
5*
PXtroliagaC. $e#ruary *< 2::). 8aldimand[1 ell 0roduces oil hile drilling continues
53
Petromanas Energy Inc. %e#site on 10ril *< 2:1!. .oard of 'irectors
57
GXllinas< GeneviYve. March !:< 2:1!. $racturer h 8aldimand , nXcessaire ou 0asI $racture in 8aldimand,
necessary or notI 'aPresse
):
"adio4Canada. 10ril 11< 2:1!. $uite de gaC sur le site du 0uits 8aldimand no 1. 1mie du "ichelieu translation
Gas lea2 at ell site 8aldimand 1 10ril 1!< 2:1!.
)1
% News. Eanuary 2*< 2:1!. PXtrolia sus0ends oil drilling 0lan near Gas0X
)2
Lan Praet< Nicolas. 10ril 2&< 2:1!. Petrolia as2s court to rule on Gas0X drilling #an Financial Post
)!
Mue#ec Government. May 15< 2:1!. ProDet de loi ni!* , 5oi interdisant certaines activitXs destinXes h
rechercher ou h e60loiter du gaC naturel dans le schiste
)&
Mue#ec Government. May 2:1!. "Yglement sur le 0rXlYvement des eau6 et leur 0rotection.
)5
5angelier< "ichard -55.'./. May 13< 2:1!. 1nalyse 0rXliminaire des rXcents 0roDets de loi et de rYglement.
Aranslation, Preliminary analysis of Mue#ec(s #ill and rule 0roDect #y the man ho initiated the munici0al #yla
B"Yglement dit de Saint4.onaventure.B
'urand< Marc. May 21< 2:1!. Notes de Marc 'urand< doct4ing en gXologie a00li=uXe< sur le 0roDet de loi =ui
formalise le moratoire sur les gaC de schiste. Aranslation< May 21< 2:1!, Notes #y Marc 'urand< '. Eng. in
a00lied geology a#out the shale gas moratorium #ill ta#led in Mue#ec 5egislature on May 15 2:1!
Aache d(huile. GaC de schiste 4 Gas0Xsie et 1nticosti mis de cetX. May 1)< 2:1!. Aranslation< May 17< 2:1!,
Environmentalists are outraged #y the #ac24ste00ing im0osed #y Mue#ec to 0rotect drin2ing ater
Moratoire dPune GXnXration and PXtroli=ues anonymes of "iviYre4du45ou0. May 15< 2:1!. ProDet de loi
interdisant certaines activitXs liXes au6 gaC de schiste +N MF"1AFI"E jL1NESCENA< INCF8j"ENA<
INS1AIS$1IS1NA CFMM+NIM+j Aranslation< May 1)< 2:1!, Press "elease .ill #anning some activities
lin2ed to shale gas, an evanescent< incoherent and unsatisfactory moratorium
))
Collectif scientif=ue sur la =uestion du gaC de schiste. May !:< 2:1!. 'es 0roDets incohXrents disent des
scientifi=ues indX0endants English Aranslation #y Amie du :ichelieu0 Eune 2< 2:1!.
)*
Ahyne< G. 2::3. "evie of Phase II 8ydrogeological Study Pre0ared for Garfield County.
Ahyne< G. 2::3. Summary of PI and PII 8ydrogeological CharacteriCation Studies K Mann Cree2 1rea<
Garfield County< Colorado0
)3
%atson< A.5. and .achu< S. 2::7. Evaluation of the Potential for Gas and CF9 5ea2age 1long %ell#ores SPE
'rill @ Com0l 2& -1/, 115412). SPE41:)31*4P1.
)7
National Energy .oard< Novem#er 2::7 1 Primer for +nderstanding Canadian Shale Gas K Energy .riefing
Note0
*:
'ougherty< ;. $rac2ing ill cause ]irreversi#le harmP Shale4gas e6traction a huge ris2 originally 0u#lished in
!he Montreal Ga*ette< March *< 2:11.
*1
"o#ertson< E.F.< G. L. Chilingar< 5. $. ;hilyu2 @ .. Endres. 1vaila#le Fnline Eune *< 2:12. Migration of Gas
from FilGGas $ields Energy Sources< Part 1, "ecovery< +tiliCation< and Environmental Effects< !&,15< 1&!)4
1&&*.
*2
Ailley< .ar# and ;arlis Muehlen#achs. 2:12. $inger0rinting of gas contaminating groundater and soil in a
0etroliferous region< 1l#erta< Canada in Proceedings from International Network of Environmental Forensics
conference< Cam#ridge< +;< Euly 2542*< 2:11.
*!
Aait< 'ouglas ".< and Isaac ". Santos< 'amien A. Maher< Ayler E. Cyrona2< and "achael E. 'avis. $e#ruary 2*<
2:1!. Enrichment of "adon and Car#on 'io6ide in the F0en 1tmos0here of an 1ustralian Coal Seam Gas $ield
Environ. Sci. Aechnol.< 2:1!< &* -*/< 00 !:77K!1:&< 'FI, 1:.1:21Ges!:&5!3g
*&
Southern Cross +niversity. 10ril 2< 2:1!. Ne study finds correlation #eteen CSG ells and radon
concentrations in the atmos0here
*5
Santos< Issac and 'amien Maher. 2:12. Fngoing Study, $ugitive Emissions from Coal Seam Gas Centre for
Coastal .iogeochemistry< School of Environment< Science and Engineering< Southern Cross +niversity
*)
+.S. Environmental Protection 1gency. 10ril 12< 2:1!. Inventory of +.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and
Sin2s, 177:42:11 EP1 &!:4"41!4::1
**
Coo0erative Institute for "esearch in Environmental Sciences. May 1&< 2:1!. Mystery Solved, Previously
+ne60lained 8igher 5evels of Greenhouse Gas in 5.1. from $ossil4$uel Sources
*3
SCat2os2i< ..< %hitta2er< S.< Eohnston< ..< Si2strom< C.< and ;. Muehlen#achs< 2::1. >Identifying the source
of dissolved hydrocar#ons in a=uifers using sta#le car#on isoto0es0= G4Chem Environmental 5td.< Im0erial Fil
"esources 5td.< and the 'e0artment of Earth and 1tmos0heric Sciences< +niversity of 1l#erta.
*7
Ma66am 1nalytical 5a#s. 2::). Environmental Services Solutions. Coal#ed Methane F0erations< .aseline
%ater4%ell Aesting Issue No. sol4:5:e. Previously availa#le at .ma66am.caGsolutionsG
3:
'usterhoff< 'ale< G. %ilson< and ;. Neman. 2::2. $ield Study on the use of Cement Pulsation to Control
Gas Migration Pa0er 0resented to the Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc.
31
.achu< S. and M. 1. Celia. Novem#er< 2::5. Evaluation of the $ate of CF2 InDected into 'ee0 Saline
1=uifers in the %a#amum 5a2e 1rea< 1l#erta .asin< Canada. Pro0osed Aest Case Princeton %or2sho0 on
Geological Storage of CF2< Novem#er 14!< 2::5.
32
'e#ruiDn< Gunnar. 2::3. E60ert Lie0oint4%ell Cementing. Schlum#erger 5imited.

3!
E"C. -E+./ Statistical Series 5*< 73G77. $ield Surveillance 10ril 1773GMarch 1777 Provincial Summaries.
3&
%atson< A.5. and .achu< S. 2::7. Evaluation of the Potential for Gas and CF9 5ea2age 1long %ell#ores SPE
'rill @ Com0l 2& -1/, 115412). SPE41:)31*4P1.
35
E"C.. 2:11 -.ranch Provincial Summary for 2:1:/. SA5*42:11 $ield Surveillance and F0erations0
3)
C.C Nes. 5ea2s found in shale gas ells, Mue. "e0ort9 !1 ere ins0ected and ]more than half have
0ro#lems<P says environmental e60ert. Eanuary 5< 2:11
3*
SchmitC< "on< P. Carlson< M. '. %atson< and .. P. Erno. 177!. 8us2y FilPs Gas Migration "esearch Effort K
an +0date.
33
Mavroudis< 'amien. 2::1. 'onhole Environmental "is2s 1ssociated ith 'rilling and %ell Com0letion
Practices in the Coo0erGEromanga .asins 'e0artment of Primary "esources and Industries South 1ustralia.
.oo2 2::14::::7.
37
Mueensland Government 'e0artment of Em0loyment< Economic 'evelo0ment and Innovation Eune 1< 2:1:
Investigation "e0ort, 5ea2age testing of coal seam gas ells in the Aara ]rural residential estatesP vicinity
7:
Neman< ;.< 1. %oDtanoicC< and ..C. Gahan. 2::1. Cement 0ulsation im0roves gas ell cementing . %orld
Fil. htt0,GG#usiness.high#eam.comG133)Garticle41G14*)*3175!Gcement40ulsation4im0roves4gas4ell4cementing
71
Stein< '.< A.E. Griffin Er.< and '. 'usterhoft. 2::!. Cement Pulsation "educes "emedial Cementing Costs0 In
Gas!IP" %inter 2::!.
72
%atson< A.5. and .achu< S. 2::7. Evaluation of the Potential for Gas and CF9 5ea2age 1long %ell#ores SPE
'rill @ Com0l 2& -1/, 115412). SPE41:)31*4P1.
7!
E"C. -E+./. May< 2::&. Presentation #y Manager Eim "eid, Shallo F0erations Issues "emoved from the
E"C. e#site
7&
E"C. -E+./ 'irective :2*. Eanuary !1< 2::). Friginal Shallo $racturing F0erations4Interim Controls<
"estricted F0erations< and Aechnical "evie. R"e0laced ith this version that does not include the =uotes in this
#rief S
75
E"C. -E+./ 1 listing of some shallo fracture communication events in 1l#erta 'ate un2non< #ut 0rior to
E+. .ulletin 2::54!!.
7)
.ritish Colum#ia Fil and Gas Commission Safety 1dvisory 2:1:4:!. May 2:< 2:1:. Communication during
fracturing stimulation
7*
;usnetC< N. 'ecem#er 23< 2:11. Fh< CanadaPs .ecome a 8ome for "ecord $rac2ing Pro5u2lica
73
8andren< P. 2:11 1 Case 8istory of Arac2ing %ater Movement Ahrough $racture Systems in the .arnett Shale
EP1 %or2sho0
77
Ahom0son< SuCi. 'ecem#er 2:< 2:12. E"C., Ne rules coming for frac2ing and unconventional
resources Fast Forward $eekly
1::
E"C.. Eanuary 2!< 2:12. 100endi6 1, Interell#ore communications during fracturing o0eration events

1:1
E"C.. Eanuary 2!< 2:12. .ulletin 2:124:2, 8ydraulic $racturing, Interell#ore Communication #eteen
Energy %ells
1:2
Ahe 1l#erta Government changed the E+.(s name to the E"C. after the regulator as caught #rea2ing the
la and s0ying on 1l#ertans, Ahe Fffice of the Information and Privacy Commissioner Investigation "e0ort
$2::*4I"4::5.
Eune 2:1!< the government changes the E"C.(s name again to the 1l#erta Energy "egulator.
1:!
E"C. -E+./ 'irective :2*. Eanuary !1< 2::). Friginal Shallo $racturing F0erations4Interim Controls<
"estricted F0erations< and Aechnical "evie. RAhe regulator re0laced the original ith this versionS
1:&
Ahom0son< SuCi. 'ecem#er 2:< 2:12. E"C., Ne rules coming for frac2ing and unconventional
resources Fast Forward $eekly
1:5
IE1 Greenhouse Gas " @ ' Programme 2nd %ell#ore Integrity %or2sho0< 2::)G12< Se0tem#er< 2::)
1:)
.ritish Colum#ia Fil and Gas Commission. 1ugust 2:12. Investigation of F#served Seismicity in the 8orn
"iver .asin
1:*
Christo0her 1. Green< Christo0her 1.< Peter Styles and .rian E. .a0tie. 10ril 2:12. Preese 8all Shale Gas
$racturing "evie @ "ecommendations for Induced Seismic Mitigation. Government of the +nited ;ingdom.
1:3
5echten#khmer< S.< M. 1ltmann< S. Ca0ito< J. Matra< %. %eindorf< and %. Jittel. Euro0ean ParliamentPs
Committee on Environment< Pu#lic 8ealth and $ood Safety. Eune 2:11. 'irectorate General for Internal Policie<
Policy 'e0artment 1, Economic and Scientific Policy Im0acts of shale gas and shale oil e6traction on the
environment and on human health
1:7
Per2ins< Gary< 1ssociate General Counsel. $e#ruary 17< 2:1!. E"C. 5etter to Mr. Steart Shields $FIP for
$rac Incidents in 1l#erta.
11:
5egere< 5aura. May 17< 2:1!. F0en records case 0roduced untrac2ed drilling documents !imes-!ri2une
111
5egere< 5aura. May 17< 2:1!. Sunday Aimes revie of 'EP drilling records reveals ater damage< mur2y
testing methods !imes !ri2une "unday !imes

Philli0s< Susan. May 2&< 2:1!. 'EPPs $rac2ing "ecord4;ee0ing .loc2s Arans0arency. NP: "tate Im5act
112
Scranton Aimes4Ari#une. May 2!< 2:1!. 'EP as mur2y as frac2 ater

11!
1l#erta Fffice of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. Frder $2:124:). March !:< 2:12. 1l#erta
Innovates 4 Aechnologies $utures R0reviously 1l#erta "esearch CouncilS. Case $ile Num#ers $&*&!< $&*)2
11&
1l#erta Innovates Aechnologies $utures -0reviously 1l#erta "esearch Council/ letter to Eessica Ernst. May 13<
2:12. 1dvising that, >1ll files relating to the Investigation $ile No. *37& -the 100licantPs file/ are ith 1l#erta
Environment and Sustaina#le 'evelo0mentPs legal de0artment and are client4solicitor 0rivileged as a result of
the 100licantPs legal suit against EnCana< E"C.< and Ahe 'e0artment.?
115
Ni2iforu2< 1. 'ecem#er 17< 2:11. $rac2ing Contamination >%ill Get %orse?, 1l#erta E60ert !he !yee
11)
Groat< C. G. and A. %. Grimsha. 2:12. >$act .ased "egulation for Environmental Protection in Shale Gas?
'evelo0ment. Energy Institute< +niversity of Ae6as< 1ustin.
Previously availa#le at htt0,GGenergy.ute6as.eduGimagesGeilshalelgaslregulation12:215.0df
1vaila#le at htt0,GG#arnett0rogress.comGmediaGeilshalelgaslregulation12:215.0df
11*
Ahe Irish Aimes 8o the +S energy industry sto00ed orrying and learned to love frac2ing March 21< 2:12.
113
Groat< C. G. and A. %. Grimsha. 2:12. >$act .ased "egulation for Environmental Protection in Shale Gas?
'evelo0ment. Energy Institute< +niversity of Ae6as< 1ustin.
Previously availa#le at htt0,GGenergy.ute6as.eduGimagesGeilshalelgaslregulation12:215.0df
1vaila#le at htt0,GG#arnett0rogress.comGmediaGeilshalelgaslregulation12:215.0df
117
Energy Institute Press "elease >Ne Study Shos No Evidence of Groundater Contamination from
8ydraulic $racturing? $e#ruary 1)< 2:12< +niversity of Ae6as< 1ustin. Previously availa#le at,
htt0,GG.ute6as.eduGnesG2:12G:2G1)GenergylinsitutelhydrauliclfracturinglgroundaterlcontaminationG
1vaila#le ith u0date on Ba00arent conflict of interestB at, htt0,GG.eure2alert.orgG0u#lreleasesG2:124:2Gteia4
nss:21:12.0h0
12:
1.C1< $our Corners. 10ril 2:1!. G1S 5E1;m "e0orted #y Matthe Carney and Connie 1gius.
121
8etCler< Paul. 'ecem#er 1!< 2:11 8ydrofrac2ing sure to contaminate ater $atertown Daily !imes
122
'usseault< M. .. Summer< 2::2. %hy Fld %ells 5ea2 . Cement4Casing "oc2 Interaction K +niversity of
%aterlooGPorous Media "esearch Institute0 In Eye on Environment. Previously availa#le at
.fe.doe.govG0rogramsGoilgasGenvironmentGeyesum:2.0df
12!
'usseault< M. .. 2::!. Some "ecommendations "elating to 1l#erta 8eavy Fil. "e0ort 0re0ared for the
1l#erta 'e0artment of Energy.
12&
.achu< S. -1l#erta Energy and +tilities .oard/ and A. %atson -A.5. %atson and 1ssociates Inc/. 2::*. $actors
1ffecting or Indicating Potential %ell#ore 5ea2age Presentation to the !
rd
IE14G8G %ell#ore %or2sho0< March
1241!< 2::*. SPE Pa0er 1:)31*< 2::
125
'usseault< M. ..< M.N. Gray and P.1. Noroc2i< 2:::. %hy Filells 5ea2, Cement .ehaviour and 5ong4
Aerm Conse=uences 0re0ared for 0resentation at the Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc. International Fil and
Gas Conference and E6hi#ition in China held in .eiDing< China< *K1: Novem#er 2:::.
12)
%affle< Chris ".< 'arren 5. Aisdale and Cory 1. MacNeill. Eanuary 23< 2:1:. Ahe 8orseshoe Canyon Coals of
Central 1l#erta ^ 1 'ry C.M Play 1da0ted from an oral 0resentation #y Arident E60loration Cor0oration at
Eastern Section 11PG 1nnual Meeting< Evansville< Indiana< Se0tem#er 2:422< 2::7.
12*
E"C.. Se0tem#er *< 2:11. 1l#ertaPs +nconventional Fil @ Natural Gas< 1nsering Nour Muestions 1#out
Fur Energy "esources Pac2age
123
$or the sa2e of this #rief< the multi4name changed regulator is termed 1l#erta Environment
127
Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers G Lan Stem0voort< '. ".< E. E. Eaors2i< and M. "ieser. 177).
>Migration of Methane into Groundater from 5ea2ing Production %ells Near 5loydminster9 "e0ort for Phase 2
-1775/.? C1PP Pu#. [177)4:::!.
1!:
Ernst v. Encana< the 1l#erta Energy "esources Conservation .oard and 8er MaDesty the Mueen in "ight of
1l#erta. 1mended on 10ril 21< 2:11. Court $ile No. :*:24::12:. $resh Statement of Claim. 5egal #riefs filed
#y defendants.
1!1
EnCana. March 7< 2::). EnCana on methane in ater in EnCana Energy for Peo0le In Nour
Community in "trathmore "tandard
1!2
von 8auff< 8eather. Fcto#er 2::* -slide dated Se0tem#er 7< 2::5/. 1l#erta Environment u0date on groundater research
and 0olicy develo0ment.
1!!
5emay< A.G.< and ;onhauser< ;.F. Se0tem#er< 2::). %ater Chemistry of Coal#ed Methane "eservoirs
E"C.. E+.G1GS S0ecial "e0ort :31.
1!&
5emay< A.G.< and ;onhauser< ;.F. Se0tem#er< 2::). %ater Chemistry of Coal#ed Methane "eservoirs
E"C.. E+.G1GS S0ecial "e0ort :31.
1l#erta Environment test results on gases in contaminated "ose#ud ater ells
1!5
;a00el< %illiam M.< and EliCa#eth 1. Nystrom. 1ugust 2:12. 'issolved methane in Ne Nor2 groundater<
1777 4 2:11. +S Geological Survey "e0ort 2:12411)2< ) 0. Pre0ared in coo0eration ith the Ne Nor2 State
'e0artment of Environmental Conservation.
1!)
Ne Nor2 State Fil< Gas and Mineral "esources. 2::&. Ins0ections< $ees and $ines.
1!*
Ne Nor2 'e0artment of Environmental Conservation. %e#site< May 13< 2:1!. Fil< Gas and Solution Salt
Mining in Ne Nor2 State.

1!3
Ne Nor2 State Fil< Gas and Mineral "esources. 2::&. Ins0ections< $ees and $ines.
1!7
8ydrogeological Consultants 5td
1&:
8ydrogeological Consultants 5td. Larious years. "egional Groundater 1ssessments In conDunction ith
1griculture and 1gri4$ood Canada and the Prairie $arm "eha#ilitation 1dministration

1&1
1l#erta 0u#lic meetings assuring groundater 0rotection< 2::) and onard
1&2
1l#erta Environment. 1l#erta %ater %ell Information 'ata#ase
1&!
Mc5eod< 1ndre. Eune 21< 2::). .urning %aters, +Lic PartnerPs environmental record =uestioned Monday
Maga*ine.
1&&
1l#erta Environment. 2:1:. 1l#erta %ater %ell Information 'ata#ase
1&5
Cornell +niversity< School of Civil and Environmental Engineering0 1nthony ". Ingaffea
1&)
Ingraffea< 1nthony ". Fcto#er 2:12. $luid Migration mechanisms due to faulty ell design and G or
construction, 1n overvie and recent e60eriences in the Pennsylvania Marcellus Play. Physicians< Scientists and
Engineers for 8ealth Energy
1&*
'etected in sam0ling #y 1l#erta Environment in the Signer drin2ing ater< Novem#er 2< 2::) and in the
8amlet of "ose#ud drin2ing ater< s0ring 2::).
1&3
'etected in sam0ling #y 1l#erta Environment in the 8amlet of "ose#ud drin2ing ater< s0ring 2::)
1&7
'etected in sam0ling #y 1l#erta Environment in the Ernst drin2ing ater< March !< 2::)
15:
+S Environmental Protection 1gency. Eune< 2::& Evaluation of Im0acts to +nderground Sources of 'rin2ing
%ater #y 8ydraulic $racturing of Coal#ed Methane "eservoirs Cha0ter ! Characteristics of Coal#ed Methane
Production and 1ssociated 8ydraulic $racturing Practices EP1 31)4"4:&4::!
151
E"C.. May 21< 2:1!. 'irective :3!, 8ydraulic $racturing K Su#surface Integrity

152
EnCana Investor 'ays March 1) and 13< 2:1:.
15!
Stonehouse< 'arrell. 2::*. Money and .rains Stealth Lenture and Canyon Aechnical Services 0artner to
anser unconventional fracturing challenges in Energy Evolution !he :ise of ;nconventional Gas in
anada Lol. 1< 2::*< Candian Society for +nconventional Gas -CS+G/ name later changed to Canadian Society
for +nconventional "esources -CS+"/ and +une $arren Pu2lishing 'td0
15&
%affle< Chris ".< 'arren 5. Aisdale and Cory 1. MacNeill. Eanuary 23< 2:1:. Ahe 8orseshoe Canyon Coals of
Central 1l#erta ^ 1 'ry C.M Play 1da0ted from an oral 0resentation #y Arident E60loration Cor0oration at
Eastern Section 11PG 1nnual Meeting< Evansville< Indiana< Se0tem#er 2:422< 2::7.
155
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er !1< 2::*. Signer %ater %ell Com0laint "evie. 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared
for 1l#erta Environment.
15)
"ichards< AadCio. March 1*< 2::*. .urning %ater Maisonneuve Maga*ine Ahe Controversy Issue
15*
EnCana. Euly 1< 2::&. Gas analysis on :541&42*4224%&M

153
8ydrogeological Consultants 5td. Eanuary< 2::5. EnCana Cor0oration. "edland 1rea. NE1:4:2*4224%&M.
Sean ;enny Site Investigation. $ile No., :&,51:.
157
8ealth Canada. Canadian 'rin2ing %ater Guidelines.
1):
E"C.. 'ecem#er 2:< 2:12. E"C. Investigation "e0ort, Calte6 Energy Inc.< 8ydraulic $racturing Incident<
1)42*4:)341:%)M< Se0tem#er 22< 2:11
1)1
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er !1< 2::*. Ernst %ater %ell Com0laint "evie 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared
for 1l#erta Environment.
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er !1< 2::*. Signer %ater %ell Com0laint "evie. 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared
for 1l#erta Environment.
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er 2:< 2::*. 5auridsen %ater %ell Com0laint "evie0 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared
for 1l#erta Environment.
1)2
1l#erta Fffice of the Information and Privacy Commissioner Frder $2:124:) 1l#erta Innovates K
Aechnology $utures -0reviously 1l#erta "esearch Council/ Case $ile Num#ers $&*&!< $&*)2 March !:< 2:12.
1)!
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er !1< 2::*. Ernst %ater %ell Com0laint "evie. 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared
for 1l#erta Environment.
1)&
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er !1< 2::*. Signer %ater %ell Com0laint "evie0 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared
for 1l#erta Environment.
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er 2:< 2::*. 5auridsen %ater %ell Com0laint "evie. 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc.
Pre0ared for 1l#erta Environment.
1)5
Media 1lert #y com0lainants. March 17< 2::3 3 5andoners "eDect Closure of Groundater Cases, 'emand
Pro0er Study of Industrial Contamination.
1))
Ailley< .ar# and ;arlis Muehlen#achs. Eanuary 2!< 2::3. 5etter to M51 'r. 'avid Sann
1)*
E"C. -E+./. 'ecem#er 7< 2::5. .ulletin 2::54!!, Shallo $racturing F0erations, Ne "e=uirements<
"estricted F0erations< and Aechnical "evie Committee "emoved from the E"C. e#site.
1)3
Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers. Se0tem#er 2::!. Natural Gas from Coal in 1l#erta Position
Pa0er.
1)7
8ydrogeological Consultants 5td. Eanuary< 2::5. >EnCana Cor0oration. "edland 1rea. NE1:4:2*4224%&M.
Sean ;enny Site Investigation.? $ile No., :&,51:.
1*:
1l#erta Environment. 10ril 2::). >Standard for .aseline %ater4%ell Aesting for Coal#ed MethaneGNatural
Gas in Coal F0erations.?
1*1
Ni2iforu2< 1. $e#ruary 2!< 2:12. 1l#erta Plays Catch4u0 on $rac2 $ront !he !yee
1*2
8" *2!1 I8< 11:
th
Congress 2
nd
Session. In the 8ouse of "e0resentatives< Se0tem#er 27< 2::3
1*!
Congress of the +nited States Committee on Energy and Commerce letter dated Euly 17< 2:1: to Mr. "andy
Eresman< President and Chief F0erating Ffficer of EnCana and ten other com0anies including Fccidental
Petroleum Cor0oration< Chesa0ea2e Energy Cor0oration< .P 1merica< Southestern Energy< ConocoPhilli0s<
'evon Energy Cor0oration< EFG "esources Inc.< EMA Cor0oration and E66onMo#il Cor0oration.
1*&
$loer< Eayana. Se0tem#er 2< 2:1:. 5etter from Encana legal counsel to Ernst.
1*5
E"C.. Se0tem#er *< 2:11. 1l#ertaPs +nconventional Fil @ Natural Gas< 1nsering Nour Muestions 1#out
Fur Energy "esources Pac2age "emoved from the E"C. e#site.
1*)
Ni2iforu2< 1ndre. Eune 2::). Ahe Groundater 'e#ate. !he algary ,erald.
1**
Ernst $FIP to 1l#erta Environment in 2::*9 to the 1l#erta "esearch Council in 2::3 K In=uiry #ecause of ithheld and
censored 0u#lic records concluded March !:< 2:12 ordering all records released uncensored< a com0lete refund of fees and
a 0ossi#le reo0ening of the 1l#erta Environment In=uiry -Frder 2:1:4:1/.
1*3
Eohnston< Patricia M. -General Counsel to the E"C./. 10ril 2&< 2:12. 5etter to Eessica Ernst.
1*7
EnCana. 2::5. "ecycling $rac $luid Pilot Investigation into %ater .ased $rac $luid +se in 'rilling $luids
1ssociated ith Shallo Gas %ells on the Suffield .loc20 PA1C 2::5 %ater Efficiency and Innovation $orum<
Eune 2!< Calgary. Previously availa#le at, htt0,GG.0tac.orgGenvGdlGenvf:5:20:*.0df
13:
1l#erta Sustaina#le "esource 'evelo0ment< Pu#lic 5ands and $orests 'ivision. 5%' "evie Aeam, Eohn
.egg< ;evin .all< .arry Cole< 5oell Calder< .arry 1dams< .ruce Cairns< 'om "uggieri< and SuCanne 8a2es4
Gill. 'ecem#er 2::!< released in 2::)< after $FIP and 0u#lic 0ressure. -Ahe regulator removed the re0ort from
0u#lic access< soon after it as released./ 5ands0raying %hile 'rilling -5%'/ "evie
131
%illiamson< ;erry. March 3< 2::*. Fil firms ]negligentP at Suffield< %ildlife areas damaged #y industry,
re0ort algary ,erald
132
Steele< 1my. March3< 2::*. EnCana e60osed< 'amning evidence of environmental damage Fast Forward
$eekly
13!
%illiamson< ;erry. March 3< 2::*. Fil firms ]negligentP at Suffield< %ildlife areas damaged #y industry,
re0ort algary ,erald
13&
Ernst< 2:11< 2:12< Personal F#servations< Lideo and 0hotogra0hs
135
Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers. May 2::) -footer says Eanuary< 2::)/ .est Management
Practices Natural Gas in Coal -NGC/GCoal#ed Methane -C.M/. 2::54::&:
13)
Sumi< 5isa. 2::5. Fur 'rin2ing %ater at "is2. %hat EP1 and the Fil and Gas Industry 'onPtP %ant +s to
;no 1#out 8ydraulic $racturing0 Fil and Gas 1ccounta#ility ProDect -a 0roDect of Earthor2s/.

Col#orn< A.< C. ;iat2os2i< ;. SchultC< and M. .achran Natural Gas F0erations from a Pu#lic 8ealth
Pers0ective 1cce0ted for 0u#lication in the International +ournal of ,uman and Ecological :isk Assessment<
Se0tem#er &< 2:1:.
13*
Sumi< 5isa. 2::5. Fur 'rin2ing %ater at "is2. %hat EP1 and the Fil and Gas Industry 'onPtP %ant +s to
;no 1#out 8ydraulic $racturing0 Fil and Gas 1ccounta#ility ProDect -a 0roDect of Earthor2s/.
133
%eyer< +. $e#ruary< 2::). >8ydrogeology of shallo and dee0 seated groundater flo systems. .asic
0rinci0als of regional groundater flo.? %'1 Consultants Inc.< Calgary< 1l#erta.
Jhang< N.< Person< M.1.< Merino E.< and M. SC0a2iecC. May< 2::!. >Evaluation of hydrologic and
#iogeochemical controls on solu#le #enCene migration ithin the +inta .asin using com0uter models and field
sam0ling. 11PG 1nnual Convention.? Salt 5a2e City< +tah.
137
Schleifstein< Mar2. May 2:< 2:1!. Shale frac2ing 0roves T!: #illion4a4year #oon to aste dis0osal industry
!he !imes-Picayune
17:
Eohnson< S. and P. 8ein2el4%olfe. March !1< 2:11. Practice lays aste to land. Denton :ecord-hronicle
171
5ee< %. Se0tem#er 13< 2::). Shallo gas e60loration #egins in area< 'rilling #egins in area "Ms. !he
Davidson 'eader0
172
Steele< Erin. Euly 17< 2:11. .ayte6 su#mits action 0lan to E"C. folloing accidental land s0raying ith
crude oil :ecord-Ga*ette
17!
;avitC 5a Fffice< llc. Eanuary 25< 2:12. Natural "esourcesGConsumer .log, 8omeoners and $armers ith
Mortgaged Pro0erty Should #e 1are of 'efault "is2s .efore Entering into Fil and Gas 5eases.
17&
Col#orn< A.< C. ;iat2os2i< ;. SchultC< and M. .achran Natural Gas F0erations from a Pu#lic 8ealth
Pers0ective 1cce0ted for 0u#lication in International +ournal of ,uman and Ecological :isk Assessment<
Se0tem#er &< 2:1:.
175
EnCana. 2::!. ::G:541&42*4224%&M C.M com0letion data on file at 1l#ertaPs Groundater Centre< most shallo at
121.5m.
EnCana. 2::&. ::G:541&42*4224%&M C.M drilling and fracturing data on file at the E"C.
17)
EnCana 2::! tests on the Ernst ater ell
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er !1< 2::*. Ernst %ater %ell Com0laint "evie 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared for
1l#erta Environment.
17*
Filfield "evie. %inter 2::!G2::&. 1 Safety Net for Controlling 5ost Circulation.
173
E"C. -E+./ 'ecision 2::)41:2. EnCana Cor0oration 100lications for 5icences for 15 %ells 1 Pi0eline and
a Com0ressor 1ddition %im#orne and Aining $ields
177
EnCana. 2::5. ::G:242!4&!4234%&M C.M drilling and fracturing data on file at the E"C. severe lost
circulation
EnCana. 2::5. :2G:242!4&!4234%&M C.M drilling and fracturing data on file at the E"C. severe lost
circulation
2::
%ills< E. 2:::. >1 Survey of Fffshore Filfield 'rilling %asters and 'is0osal Aechni=ues to "educe the
Ecological Im0act of Sea 'um0ing.? M.Inst.Pet.< for E2ologiches2aya Lah2ta Sa2halina -Sa2halin Environment
%atch.
2:1
Filee2 MagaCine< CanadaPs Fil and Gas 1uthority. 2::) Guide to 'rilling $luids. March< 2::).
Filee2 MagaCine< CanadaPs Fil and Gas 1uthority. 2::3 Guide to 'rilling $luids. March< 2::3.
2:2
Filee2 MagaCine< CanadaPs Fil and Gas 1uthority. 2::) Guide to 'rilling $luids. March< 2::).
Filee2 MagaCine< CanadaPs Fil and Gas 1uthority. 2::3 Guide to 'rilling $luids. March< 2::3.
Petroleum Services 1ssociation of Canada. 'rilling and $rac Chemical -Mud/ 5ist 8istorical. 2::5. +0dated
#ut reduced list, 'rilling Product 5isting for Potential Ao6icity Information
2:!
%ills< E. 2:::. 1 Survey of Fffshoe Filfield 'rilling %asters and 'is0osal Aechni=ues to "educe the
Ecological Im0act of Sea 'um0ing0 M.Inst.Pet.< for E2ologiches2aya Lah2ta Sa2halina -Sa2halin Environment
%atch/.
2:&
Name changed to 1l#erta Innovates Aechnology $utures
2:5
;usnetC< N. 'ecem#er 23< 2:11. Fh< CanadaPs .ecome a 8ome for "ecord $rac2ing Pro5u2lica
Ni2iforu2< 1. 'ecem#er 17< 2:11. $rac2ing Contamination >%ill Get %orse?, 1l#erta E60ert !he !yee
2:)
Ni2iforu2< 1. Eanuary 1)< 2:1!. 8o 1l#erta %ill $ight $rac2ing $ol2 8ero Eessica Ernst !he !yee
2:*
ernstversusencana.ca 5egal filings
2:3
Groat< C. G. and A. %. Grimsha. 2:12. >$act .ased "egulation for Environmental Protection in Shale Gas
'evelo0ment.? Energy Institute< +niversity of Ae6as< 1ustin.
Previously availa#le at htt0,GGenergy.ute6as.eduGimagesGeilshalelgaslregulation12:215.0df -Cont(d ne6t 0age/
1vaila#le at htt0,GG#arnett0rogress.comGmediaGeilshalelgaslregulation12:215.0df
2:7
Ailley< .. and ;. Muehlen#achs< 2::*. "ecogniCing Natural Gas Contamination of %ater %ells in a
Petroliferous "egion. In, #>
rd
International Meeting on &rganic hemistry %ook of A2stracts7 "e5tem2er ?th@
/8th0 P>>/-$E
21:
1l#erta Environment. 10ril 2::). >Standard for .aseline %ater4%ell Aesting for Coal#ed MethaneGNatural
Gas in Coal F0erations.?
211
E"C.. May 21< 2:1!. 'irective :3!, 8ydraulic $racturing K Su#surface Integrity
212
ernstversusencana.ca. May 2:< 2:1!. Pu#lic 0osting of E"C. letter to Mr. Steard Shields ith the Sunday
Aimes revie of Pennsylvania 'EP drilling records reveals significant ell ater damages< mur2y testing
methods
21!
8ar0er Government. Num#er :!!< &:th P1"5I1MENA< !rd SESSIFN. Evidence. Standing Committee on
Natural "esources. Novem#er 2!< 2:1:.
21&
E"C.. May 21< 2:1!. 'irective :3!, 8ydraulic $racturing K Su#surface Integrity
215
Singleton< 'an. $e#ruary 12< 2:1!. Com0any offers to test %estard 8o s0ring. Mountain 6iew Ga*ette

21)
Singleton< 'an. $e#ruary 5< 2:1!. S0ring contaminated after frac2ing in Mountain Lie County< 1l#erta
landoner ants ansers. Mountain 6iew Ga*ette
21*
Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers. 2:12. C1PPPs Guiding Princi0les and F0erating Practices for
8ydraulic $racturing Previously availa#le at htt0,GG.ca00.caGgetdoc.as06I'ocIdH2131!5@'AHNAL
213
Fmni4McCann Consultants 5td. 2::*. >%heatland Surface "ights 1ction Grou0< Groundater Su00ly
Concerns "egarding C.M 'evelo0ment< %heatland County< 1l#erta.? ProDect No. 542!141
217
5innitt< C. Novem#er< 15< 2:11 Gas Industry Geologists 4 Not 'octors 4 'ecide If %ater Is BSafeB in 1l#erta
$rac2ing Contamination Cases Desmog2log0
22:
.arnett< .ill. 1ugust *< 2::*. %hy is EnCana not illing to test our ater #eyond the minimum
standardsI in :ed Deer Advocate< Drumheller 6alley !imes and "trathmore "tandard
221
E"C.. Eanuary 23< 2:11. +nconventional Gas "egulatory $rameor2^Eurisdictional "evie #y the 1l#erta
Energy and +tilities .oard "e0ort 2:1141.
222
E"C. Press "elease. 'ecem#er 17< 2:12. E"C. im0roves 0u#lic access to hydraulic fracturing fluid
information< $rac$ocus.ca coming soon to 1l#erta
fracfocus.ca
22!
fracfocus.ca
22&
Ahe Endocrine 'isru0tion E6change. 2::3. 1nalysis of Chemicals +sed in Fil @ Natural Gas 'evelo0ment in
$ive %estern States
225
Col#orn< A.< C. ;iat2os2i< ;. SchultC< and M. .achran Natural Gas F0erations from a Pu#lic 8ealth
Pers0ective 1cce0ted for 0u#lication in the International +ournal of ,uman and Ecological :isk Assessment<
Se0tem#er &< 2:1:.
22)
St. Peter< C. 2:::. Fil shales and oil and natural gas in Ne .runsic2, 8istorical and current industry
related activities Ne .runsic2 'e0artment of Natural "esources and Energy< Minerals and Energy 'ivision<
Information Circular 2:::45< 1& 0.
22*
C.C Nes. 2:12. Cardy calls for moratorium on Stoney Cree2 drilling
223
Government of Ne .runsic2 %e#site. 10ril 11< 2:1!. Natural gas and ater
227
Fmni4McCann Consultants 5td. 2::*. >%heatland Surface "ights 1ction Grou0< Groundater Su00ly
Concerns "egarding C.M 'evelo0ment< %heatland County< 1l#erta.? ProDect No. 542!141
2!:
Colchester %ee2ly Nes. 10ril 11< 2:1!. F00osition groing against Colchester CountyPs a00roval of
frac2ing asteater dis0osal
2!1
Sullivan< 8arry. 10ril 11< 2:1!. Council of Canadians and Ecology 1ction Centre among those a00ealing
decision to discharge frac2 aste0 Council of Canadians
2!2
Munici0ality of Colchester< Nova Scotia. May 1*< 2:1!. Seer +se 100eals Committee 'ecision on
100lication #y 1IS0
2!!
"oach< E. May 1)< 2:1!. Energy future may #e sam0ed in frac2ing asteater< scientists arn. N% News

2!&
Myers< A. 2::7. Groundater management and coal #ed methane develo0ment in the Poder "iver .asin of
Montana E. 8ydrology. Lol. !)3< Issues 14&< !: 10ril 2::7. 00 1*3417!. ISSN ::2241)7&. Eournal 8ome0age,
.elsevier.comGlocateGDhydrol
2!5
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er !1< 2::*. Ernst %ater %ell Com0laint "evie. 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared
for 1l#erta Environment.
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er !1< 2::*. Signer %ater %ell Com0laint "evie0 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared
for 1l#erta Environment.
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er 2:< 2::*. 5auridsen %ater %ell Com0laint "evie0 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc.
Pre0ared for 1l#erta Environment.
2!)
de la CruC< N. 2::). Coal#ed MethaneGNatural Gas in Coal and Groundater 1l#erta Environment
Conference< May 2::). Slide 12.
2!*
.lyth< 1le6ander. Eanuary< 2::3. 1n Inde0endent "evie of Coal#ed Methane "elated %ater %ell Com0laints
filed ith 1l#erta Environment. 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc.
2!3
Ae6as Groundater Protection Committee. Euly< 2::*. Eoint Groundater Monitoring and Contamination
"e0ort K 2::). S$"4:5)G:). Pu#lished and distri#uted #y the Ae6as Commission on Environmental Muality.
2!7
Ne Me6ico Energy< Minerals and Natural "esources 'e0artment. >GeneraliCed "ecord of Ground %ater
Im0act Sites? htt0,GG.emnrd.state.nm.usGFC'GdocumentsGr0tGeneraliCedG%Im0act.0df
htt0,GGe#cache.googleusercontent.comGsearchI
=Hcache,htt0,GG.emnrd.state.nm.usGFC'GdocumentsGr0tGeneraliCedG%Im0act.0df
2&:
5egere< 5aura. May 17< 2:1!. F0en records case 0roduced untrac2ed drilling documents. !imes-!ri2une
5egere< 5aura. May 17< 2:1!. Sunday Aimes revie of 'EP drilling records reveals ater damage< mur2y
testing methods. !imes !ri2une "unday !imes
2&1
Ao6ics Aargeting. Se0tem#er< 2::7. .i6#y 8ill "d $FIP and Court 'ocuments.
2&2
Ao6ics Aargeting< 2::7
2&!
Coleman< '. 2::&. >Source Identification of Stray Gases #y Geochemical $inger0rinting.? Isotech
5a#oratories< Inc. Cham0aign< Illinois< +S1. Solution Mining "esearch Institute9 S0ring 2::& Aechnical
Meeting %ichita< ;ansas< +S1< 13421 10ril 2::&.
2&&
8utchinson "es0onse ProDect< March 2::1
2&5
1l#erta 'e0artment of Energy. Coal#ed Methane $1Ms .
2&)
.redenhoeft< E. 2::!. 5etter to +S Environmental Protection 1gency "e, EP1 draft study re0ort^Evaluation
of Im0acts to +nderground Sources of 'rin2ing %ater #y 8ydraulic $racturing of Coal#ed Methane "eservoirs,
Su#Dect, $ederal "egister 1ugust 23< 2::2< Lolume )*< Num#er 1:< Pages 552&7455251 -ater 'oc2et Id no. 4
:14:7411/. Ahe 8ydrodynamics Grou0, studies in mass and energy trans0ort in the earth.
2&*
1mey< 1. Eanuary< 2::!. Climate change solutions may #e found in coal#ed methane recovery0 Climate
Change Central Nesletter 5. Previously availa#le at
htt0,GG.climatechangecentral.comGinfolcentreGC!LiesGdefault.as0
2&3
Gunter< .ill. CF2 Se=uestration in 'ee0 >+nminea#le? Coal Seams. 1l#erta "esearch Council.
2&7
Chafin< 'aniel< A. 177&. Source and Migration Pathays of Natural Gas in Near4Surface Ground %ater
.eneath the 1nimas "iver Lalley< Colorado and Ne Me6ico +SGS %ater "esources Investigations "e0ort 7&4
&::).
25:
+S Geological Survey. Eanuary< 2::). Methane in %est Lirginia Ground %ater0 $act Sheet 2::)4!:11.
251
1l#erta Environment. Eanuary 1) @ 1*< 2::3. Sam0le $orm 5etter to com0lainants on the closure of their
contamination cases from Mr. 'avid Mc;enna< 1l#erta Environment< Groundater Policy .ranch.
Groundater Contamination Investigation No. *37&.
252
%illiamson< ;en. Natural Gas from %ater %ells can #e 'angerous 1griculture %ater S0ecialist< 1l#erta
1griculture< $ood and "ural 'evelo0ment.
25!
Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers G Lan Stem0voort< '. ".< and E. E. Eaors2i. 1775. >Migration
of Methane into Groundater from 5ea2ing Production %ells Near 5loydminster9 March 1775.? C1PP Pu#.
[17754:::1. Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers.
25&
Canadian Society for +nconventional Gas htt0,GG.csug.caGfacts.html Rrenamed in 2:11 to Canadian
Society for +nconventional "esourcesS htt0,GG.csur.comG %ater ell density

255
"e0orts #y com0lainants to 1l#erta Environment
1l#erta 8ansard< May 1*< 2::), Private ater ell e60losion at S0irit "iver 5egislative 1ssem#ly of 1l#erta
25)
1l#erta 8ansard< May 1*< 2::), Private ater ell e60losion at S0irit "iver 5egislative 1ssem#ly of 1l#erta
25*
1l#erta 8ansard< May 1*< 2::), Private ater ell e60losion at S0irit "iver 5egislative 1ssem#ly of 1l#erta
8anel< Eoe. 'ecem#er< 2::5. CFGCC see2s aid in dealing ith ells. State 1gency to as2 5egislature for
T3::; in emergency funding !he Durango ,erald0
253
1l#erta Environment. Eanuary 1) @ 1*< 2::3. Sam0le $orm 5etter to com0lainants on the closure of their
contamination cases from Mr. 'avid Mc;enna< 1l#erta Environment< Groundater Policy .ranch.
Groundater Contamination Investigation No. *37&.
257
Gelinas< Grant. Fcto#er 25 -Part Fne/ @ 2) -Part Ao/< 2::). 'ocumentary on the .ruce Eac2 Contaminated
%ater %ell E60losion. % News0
2):
1l#erta 8ansard< May 1*< 2::), Private ater ell e60losion at S0irit "iver 5egislative 1ssem#ly of 1l#erta
2)1
1l#erta 8ansard< May 1*< 2::), Private ater ell e60losion at S0irit "iver 5egislative 1ssem#ly of 1l#erta
2)2
Lideo May 3< 2::) of the .ruce Eac2 Methane and Ethane Contaminated %ell %ater the day #efore the
E60losion.
2)!
8ealth Canada. Canadian 'rin2ing %ater Guidelines.
2)&
"trathmore "tandard 1rchives. Eanuary 2*< 2::5 "ose#ud has #oiled ater order
2)5
"trathmore "tandard 1rchives. Eanuary 2*< 2::5 "ose#ud has #oiled ater order
2))
8anel< Eoe. 'ecem#er< 2::5. CFGCC see2s aid in dealing ith ells. State 1gency to as2 5egislature for
T3::; in emergency funding !he Durango ,erald00
2)*
Pennsylvania Geological Survey. Fther Geological 8aCards Methane Gas. Previously availa#le at,
htt0,GG.dcnr.state.0a.usGto0ogeoGhaCardsGotherhaC.as06
8anel< Eoe. 'ecem#er< 2::5. CFGCC see2s aid in dealing ith ells. State 1gency to as2 5egislature for
T3::; in emergency funding !he Durango ,erald0
2)3
"amos< G. and S. 8arvey March 25< 1735 Gas E60losion Shatters $airfa6 Store9 2! 8urt 'os Angeles !imes
2)7
8amilton< '. 8.< and ". 5. Meehan 1772 Cause of the 1735 "oss Store E60losion and Fther Gas Lentings<
$airfa6 'istrict< 5os 1ngeles in Engineering Geology Practice in "outhern alifornia7 Association of
Engineering Geologists7 "5ecial Pu2lication No0 8< 1772.
8amilton< '. 8.< and ". 5. Meehan 1772 1#stract, Cause of 1735 "oss Store E60losion and Fther Gas
Lentings E6cer0t from, Engineering Geology Practice in "outhern alifornia7 Association of Engineering
Geologists7 "5ecial Pu2lication No0 87 /??#
Ghillingar< G.L.< and .. Endres 2::& Environmental haCards 0osed #y the 5os 1ngeles .asin ur#an oilfields, an
historical 0ers0ective of lessons learned received Novem#er 23< 2::!< 1cce0ted 1ugust 7< 2::&< Pu#lished
online Fcto#er 2)< 2::& in Environmental Geology -2::5/ &*,!:24!1*
2*:
Endres< ..< G. L. Chilingarian< and A.$. Nen. 1771 Environmental haCards of ur#an oilfield o0erations in
+ournal of Petroleum "cience and Engineering0 A -1771/ 7541:) Elsevier Science Pu#lishers ..L.< 1msterdam
2*1
1m%INS Grou0 Inc.. Eune 2:11. Client 1dvisory Ne Aechnology Creates Ne Insurance Issues for Fil and
Gas 5ease F0erators
2*2
'emirDian< Eoan. $e#ruary 1)< 2:11. Gas4ell ordeal finally ends ell hagrin 6alley !imes
2*!
1ssociated Press. Euly 12< 2:12. +S insurance com0any ni6es coverage for damage related to hydraulic
fracturing for oil and gas $ashington Post
2*&
.uhlman< Eohn< M. March 2< 2:12. Ahe 1ssessment "evie .oard "educes Methane Contaminated
Pro0ertyPs Aa6ation Lalue to Jero $eirfoulds ''P
2*5
8amilton< Ayler. March 2:< 2:1:. 1l#erta firm eyes FntarioPs unta00ed shale gas !oronto "tar
2*)
Michelle P... Nicolas< Michelle P... and Eames '. .am#ura2. 2::7. Cretaceous Shale Gas Pros0ects of Southestern
Manito#a, Preliminary "esults. Manito#a Geological Survey
2**
%arner< Nathaniel ".< Aimothy M. ;resse< Philli0 '. 8ays< 1drian 'on< Eonathan '. ;arr< "o#ert ..
Eac2son< and 1vner Lengosh. In Press< 1cce0ted Manuscri0t< 1vaila#le online May 1&< 2:1!. Geochemical and
isoto0ic variations in shallo groundater in areas of the $ayetteville shale develo0ment< north4central
Arkansas A55lied Geochemistry< 2:1!9 'FI, 1:.1:1)GD.a0geochem.2:1!.:&.:1!
2*3
"cience Daily. May 15< 2:1!. Groundater +naffected #y Shale Gas Production in 1r2ansas
2*7
Fs#orn< S.G< 1. Lengosh< N. ". %arner< and ". .. Eac2son Methane contamination of drin2ing ater
accom0anying gas4ell drilling and hydraulic fracturing in Proceedings of National Academy of "ciences.
Pu#lished online #efore 0rint May 7< 2:11< doi,1:.1:*!G0nas.11::)321:3PN1S
23:
1l#erta Environment. March 2::). 1nalytical "e0ort for "ose#ud 8amlet. 'ata collection #y 1l#erta
Environment< analysis #y 15S 5a#oratory Grou0 and the 1l#erta "esearch Council Rname changed to 1l#erta
Innovates Aechnologies $utures< shortly after the council dismissed the contamination cases suggesting nature to
#lame #ut una#le to e60lain here the methane came fromS
231
"yan< C. 'ecem#er< 2::3. 1l#erta Environment Standard for .aseline %ater %ell Aesting for C.M
F0erations< Science "evie Panel $inal "e0ort 0re0ared for 1l#erta Environment #y 'r. Cathy "yan< +niversity
of Calgary. Panel, 1. .lyth< .. Mayer< C. MendoCa< ;. Muehlen#achs.
232
1l#erta Environment. Se0tem#er 3< 2::). Sam0ling C;:7:3:)M #y Craig ;naus at 1!,15 of the Peter and
$iona 5auridsen farm ater ell< SE 2742)4214%&M.
23!
E.1< 1 Aetra Aech Com0any for 1ll Points Energy 5td. Sam0ling on 1ugust &< 2:119 re0ort dated 1ugust 2&<
2:11. >'omestic %ater %ell Sam0ling "e0ort, SE 2742)4214%&M.?
23&
+.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations "e0ort 2::*45:35. Natural Gases in Ground %ater near
Aioga Eunction< Aioga County< North4Central Pennsylvania4Fccurrence and +se of Isoto0es to 'etermine
Frigins< 2::5
235
'yc2< %. and 'unn< C.E. 173). 8elium and methane anomalies in domestic ater ells in southestern
Sas2atchean< Canada< and their relationshi0 to other dissolved constituents< oil and gas fields< and tectonic
0atterns +ournal of Geo5hysical :esearch 71-.12/, 12<!&!412<!5!. doi,1:.1:27GE.:71i.12012!&!.
23)
Ahyne< G. 2::3. "evie of Phase II 8ydrogeological Study Pre0ared for Garfield County.
Ahyne< G. 2::3. Summary of PI and PII 8ydrogeological CharacteriCation Studies K Mann Cree2 1rea<
Garfield County< Colorado
23*
Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers G Lan Stem0voort< '. ".< and E. E. Eaors2i. 1775. >Migration
of >Methane into Groundater from 5ea2ing Production %ells Near 5loydminsterB March 1775.? C1PP Pu#.
[17754:::1. Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers. -Cont(d on the ne6t 0age/
Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers G Lan Stem0voort< '. ".< E. E. Eaors2i< and M. "ieser. 177).
>Migration of Methane into Groundater from 5ea2ing Production %ells Near 5loydminster9 "e0ort for Phase 2
-1775/.? C1PP Pu#. [177)4:::!.
233
Matthe L. ;ohl#ec2er and 'imitri Llasso0oulos. 2:1:. 8ydrogeochemical Pros0ecting for Natural Gas, Ahe
Geochemical Chimney< Shallo Groundater 8ydrogeology< and Inter0retation of Near4Surface 'ata
Geoanada #9/9 @ $orking with the Earth
237
'arling< %. G.< and '. C. Gooddy. 2::). Ahe hydrogeochemistry of methane, evidence from English
groundaters .ritish Geological Survey
27:
Smith< N. E. P.< and %. G. 'arling. Novem#er 7< 2:12. Potential 0ro#lems in the .ath and North East
Somerset Council and surrounding area ith res0ect to hydrocar#on and other e60loration and 0roduction
"enea#les and Energy Security Programme Commissioned "e0ort C"G12G:55. .ritish Geological Survey.
271
Fhio 'e0artment of Natural "esources. Se0tem#er 1< 2::3. "e0ort on the Investigation of the Natural Gas
Invasion of 1=uifers in .ain#ridge Aonshi0 of Geauga County< Fhio.
272
Fhio 'e0artment of Natural "esources. Se0tem#er 1< 2::3. "e0ort on the Investigation of the Natural Gas
Invasion of 1=uifers in .ain#ridge Aonshi0 of Geauga County< Fhio 0
27!
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er !1< 2::*. Ernst %ater %ell Com0laint "evie 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared
for 1l#erta Environment.
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er !1< 2::*. Signer %ater %ell Com0laint "evie. 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared
for 1l#erta Environment.
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er 2:< 2::*. 5auridsen %ater %ell Com0laint "evie. 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared
for 1l#erta Environment.
27&
Pryce< 'avid< Lice4President %estern Canada F0erations< Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers. May
*< 2::*. Aestimony to Ahe Standing Committee on Environment and Sustaina#le 'evelo0ment Num#er :5)<
1
st
Session< !7
th
Parliament
275
Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers G Lan Stem0voort< '. ".< and E. E. Eaors2i. 1775. >Migration
of Methane into Groundater from 5ea2ing Production %ells Near 5loydminster9 March 1775.? C1PP Pu#.
[17754:::1. Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers.
Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers G Lan Stem0voort< '. ".< E. E. Eaors2i< and M. "ieser. 177).
>Migration of Methane into Groundater from 5ea2ing Production %ells Near 5loydminster9 "e0ort for Phase 2
-1775/.? C1PP Pu#. [177)4:::!.
27)
Ahomas< E.C.< and McMahon< P... 2:1!. Fvervie of groundater =uality in the Piceance .asin< estern
Colorado< 17&)K2::7, +.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations "e0ort 2:12K5173 2:& 0.
27*
Cousineau< So0hie< .ertrand Marotte< and "hXal SX=uin. Se0tem#er 2:< 2:12. Mue#ec to see2 #an on shale
gas frac2ing, Minister 8eadline changed to, >Mue#ec gas in 0eril as PM signals #an.? !he Glo2e and Mail.
273
Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers G Lan Stem0voort< '. ".< E. E. Eaors2i< and M. "ieser. 177).
>Migration of Methane into Groundater from 5ea2ing Production %ells Near 5loydminster9 "e0ort for Phase 2
-1775/.? C1PP Pu#. [177)4:::!.
277
Colorado Fil and Gas Commission. Eune 1:< 2::5. 1lleged Liolations of the rules and regulations of the
Colorado Fil and Gas Conservation Commission -CFGCC/ #y EnCana Fil @ Gas -+S1/ Inc. Cause No. 1L<
'FC;EA NF. :5:*4FL4:* #efore the Fil and Gas Conservation Commission of the State of Colorado
!::
Colorado Fil and Gas Commission. Se0tem#er 1)< 2::&. 1lleged Liolations of the rules and regulations of
the Colorado Fil and Gas Conservation Commission -CFGCC/ #y EnCana Fil @ Gas -+S1/ Inc 0 Cause No. 1L<
Frder No. 1L42*) #efore the Fil and Gas Conservation Commission of the State of Colorado.
!:1
Ahomas< E.C.< and McMahon< P... 2:1!. Fvervie of groundater =uality in the Piceance .asin< estern
Colorado< 17&)K2::7, +.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations "e0ort 2:12K5173 2:& 0.
!:2
Pennsylvania 'e0artment of Environmental Protection. .ureau of Fil and Gas Management. Fcto#er 2::7.
Stray Natural Gas Migration 1ssociated ith Fil and Gas %ells. 'raft "e0ort K Aa# 1:G23G:7.
!:!
5ustgarten< 1. Euly !1< 2::7. %ater Pro#lems $rom 'rilling 1re More $re=uent Ahan P1 Ffficials Said
Pro5u2lica
!:&
Pennsylvania 'e0t. of Environmental Protection Press "elease 10ril &< 2:1: 'EP Aa2es 1ggressive 1ction
1gainst Ca#ot Fil @ Gas Cor0 to Enforce Environmental 5as Protect Pu#lic in Sus=uehanna County9
Sus0ends "evie of Ca#otPs Ne 'rilling Permit 100lications Frders Com0any to Plug %ells Install
"esidential %ater Systems Pay T2&:<::: in $ines
!:5
5egere< 5aura. May 13< 2:11. 'EP fines Chesa0ea2e T1.1 million for fire< contamination incidents
iti*ens 6oice
!:)
Shearer< C. March 21< 2:12. 1#out Ahat 'imoc2 $rac2ing Study, "esult Summaries Sho Methane and
8aCardous Chemicals !ruthout
!:*
5egere< 5aura. 'ecem#er !1< 2:11. EP1, 'imoc2 ater su00lies (merit further investigation( !he !imes-
!ri2une
!:3
P:Newswire0 Se0tem#er 1*< 2:11. 'EP Monitors Stray Gas "emediation in .radford County9 "e=uires
Chesa0ea2e to Eliminate Gas Migration Pennsylvania 'e0artment of Environmental Protection
!:7
5egere< 5aura. 'ecem#er !1< 2:11. EP1, 'imoc2 ater su00lies (merit further investigation( !he !imes-
!ri2une
!1:
Pennsylvania 'e0t. of Environmental Protection Notice of Liolation < Gas Migration Investigation< 5enno6
A0. Sus=uehanna County. Se0tem#er 17< 2:11.
!11
5egere< 5aura. May 13< 2:11. 'EP fines Chesa0ea2e T1.1 million for fire< contamination incidents
!12
5egere< 5. Eanuary 7< 2:12. 'EP, Ca#ot drilling caused methane in 5eno6 ater ells !he !imes !ri2une
!1!
+S Environmental Protection 1gency. Eanuary 1!< 2:11. "ange "esources Imminent and Su#stantial
Endangerment Frder< Par2er County< A\ 1dministrative "ecord 1gainst "ange "esources Cor0oration and
"ange Production Com0any
!1&
8aes< C. Eanuary 2:< 2:11. More methane found in Par2er County ater $FAA
!15
5ustgarten< 1. 10ril 2:< 2:1:. 5ouisiana %ell .loout $orces 8undreds $rom 8omes Pro5u2lica
!1)
Aruman< 5eis. 10ril 17< 2:11. 5ouisiana Suit See2s Clean4+0 of ($rac2ing( 'amage< E6co ell #le out in
Caddo Parish< contaminated groundater Consumer 1ffairs
!1*
5ustgarten< 1. 10ril 2:< 2:1:. 5ouisiana %ell .loout $orces 8undreds $rom 8omes Pro5u2lica
!13
Environmental Protection 1gency. 'ecem#er 2:11. 'raft Investigation of Groundater Contamination near
Pavillion< %yoming. EP1 )::G"4::G:::. Fffice of "esearch and 'evelo0ment.
+S Environmental Protection 1gency. 'ecem#er 3< 2:12. Investigation of Groundater Contamination near
Pavillion< %yoming EP1 )::G"4::G:::
!17
Environmental Protection 1gency. 'ecem#er 2:11. 'raft Investigation of Groundater Contamination near
Pavillion< %yoming. EP1 )::G"4::G:::. Fffice of "esearch and 'evelo0ment.
!2:
EnCana. 2::1. :2G:)4:&42*4224%&M C.M com0letion data on file at 1l#ertaPs Groundater Centre9 most
shallo 0erf at 1::.5m
EnCana. 2::1. :2G:)4:&42*4224%&M C.M drilling and fracturing data on file at the E"C.
!21
EnCana. 2::&. ::G:541&42*4224%&M C.M drilling and fracturing data on file at the E"C.
!22
EnCana C.M data on file at the E"C.< 2::1 K 10ril 2::)
!2!
Ni2iforu2< 1. 'ecem#er 17< 2:11. $rac2ing Contamination >%ill Get %orse?, 1l#erta E60ert !he !yee
!2&
+S Environmental Protection 1gency. 1ugust !:< 2:1:. E60anded Site Investigation K 1nalytical "esults
"e0ort Pavillion 1rea Groundater Investigation A'' No. :7:14:1. Contract No. EP4%4:54:5:
!25
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er !1< 2::*. Ernst %ater %ell Com0laint "evie 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared
for 1l#erta Environment.
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er !1< 2::*. Signer %ater %ell Com0laint "evie0 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared
for 1l#erta Environment.
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er 2:< 2::*. 5auridsen %ater %ell Com0laint "evie0 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc.
Pre0ared for 1l#erta Environment.
!2)
8urdle< Eon. Se0tem#er 3< 2:1:. EnCana says drilling did not taint %yoming ater. :euters
!2*
+S Environmental Protection 1gency. 1ugust !:< 2:1:. E60anded Site Investigation K 1nalytical "esults
"e0ort Pavillion 1rea Groundater Investigation.A'' No. :7:14:1. Contract No. EP4%4:54:5:
!23
%right< P.".< McMahon< P...< Mueller< '.;.< Clar2< M.5. 2:12. Groundater4=uality and =uality4control data
for to monitoring ells near Pavillion< %yoming< 10ril and May 2:12, +.S. Geological Survey. 'ata Series
*13< 2) 0.
!27
.lyth< 1lec and 1ndrea Meltor. 10ril 2::7. "ose#ud and "edland Monitoring %ell Installation "e0ort .
1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared for 1l#erta Environment'es 0roDets incohXrents disent des scientifi=ues
indX0endants
!!:
"ose#ud $ire 'e0artment on location during a 711 call #ecause of the ater monitoring ell venting
dangerous levels of gas near homes.
!!1
.lyth< 1lec and 1ndrea Meltor. 10ril 2::7. "ose#ud and "edland Monitoring %ell Installation "e0ort .
1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared for 1l#erta Environment
!!2
Marcin2os2i< 'an. 10ril 1*< 2:1!. 'evelo0ment in "ose#ud. "trathmore "tandard
!!!
EnCana C.M data< 10ril 2::) K Eanuary 2:11
!!&
Ernst Lersus EnCana, Ahe 5asuit
!!5
Ne .runsic2 Government. $e#ruary 15< 2:1!. "es0onsi#le Environmental Management of Fil and Natural
Gas 1ctivities in Ne .runsic2 "ules for Industry
!!)
Collectif scientif=ue sur la =uestion du gaC de schiste. May !:< 2:1!. 'es 0roDets incohXrents disent des
scientifi=ues indX0endants English Aranslation #y Amie du :ichelieu0 Eune 2< 2:1!.
!!*
Canadian Natural Gas< 2:1: $ull Potential, +nconventional Gas 'evelo0ment in Canada. anadian Natural
Gas is a made4in4Canada advocacy 0roDect s0onsored #y the Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers and
other industry lo##y grou0s.
!!3
Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers. May 2::) -footer says Eanuary< 2::)/ .est Management
Practices Natural Gas in Coal -NGC/GCoal#ed Methane -C.M/. 2::54::&:.
!!7
E"C.. Se0tem#er *< 2:11. 1l#ertaPs +nconventional Fil @ Natural Gas< 1nsering Nour Muestions 1#out
Fur Energy "esources Pac2age
!&:
Sam0ling results on the Jimmerman ater< 2::5< various -#y Muic2silver "esources Inc.< 0reviously MGL/
and 1l#erta Environment.
!&1
.lyth< 1. Novem#er 1)< 2::*. >Jimmerman %ater %ell Com0laint "evie0= 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc.
Pre0ared for 1l#erta Environment.
!&2
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er !1< 2::*. Ernst %ater %ell Com0laint "evie0 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared
for 1l#erta Environment.
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er !1< 2::*. Signer %ater %ell Com0laint "evie0 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared
for 1l#erta Environment.
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er 2:< 2::*. 5auridsen %ater %ell Com0laint "evie0 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared
for 1l#erta Environment.
!&!
Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers G Lan Stem0voort< '. ".< and E. E. Eaors2i. 1775. >Migration
of Methane into Groundater from 5ea2ing Production %ells Near 5loydminster9 March 1775.? C1PP Pu#.
[17754:::1. Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers.
Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers G Lan Stem0voort< '. ".< E. E. Eaors2i< and M. "ieser. 177).
>Migration of Methane into Groundater from 5ea2ing Production %ells Near 5loydminster9 "e0ort for Phase 2
-1775/.? C1PP Pu#. [177)4:::!.
!&&
"o#ertson< E.F.< G. L. Chilingar< 5. $. ;hilyu2 @ .. Endres. 1vaila#le Fnline Eune *< 2:12. Migration of Gas
from FilGGas $ields Energy "ources7 Part A( :ecovery7 ;tili*ation7 and Environmental Effects< !&,15< 1&!)4
1&&*< 'FI,1:.1:3:G155)*:!:7:!:**377
!&5
1l#erta Environment.. March 11< 2::). 1l#erta %ater %ell Information 'ata#ase
!&)
1l#erta Environment. 2:1:. 1l#erta %ater %ell Information 'ata#ase
!&*
Gero< 'avid. March 2::). C.C Nes Edmonton
!&3
1l#erta Environment letter to Jimmermans< Eanuary 1)< 2::3.
!&7
Mesly< Nicolas. Euly 1ugust 2:11. 5e GaC de la 'iscorde Cover Story in 'e oo5Crateur agricole
!5:
Gordon< Sue and 1. .lyth. Eanuary 1)< 2::3. Cam0#ell %ater %ell Com0laint "evie. 1l#erta "esearch
Council Inc. Pre0ared for 1l#erta Environment. 100endi6 C in the "e0ort
!51
.lyth< 1. March 12< 2::7. >Cam0#ell %ater %ell Com0laint< Phase II Investigations0D 1l#erta "esearch
Council Inc. Pre0ared for 1l#erta Energy and +tilities .oard RE"C.S.
!52
1l#erta Environment(s Martin ;reCela2 Email to the Cam0#ells dated Novem#er 1)< 2::)
!5!
Gordon< Sue and 1. .lyth. Eanuary 1)< 2::3. Cam0#ell %ater %ell Com0laint "evie. 1l#erta "esearch
Council Inc. Pre0ared for 1l#erta Environment. 100endi6 C in the "e0ort
!5&
Mc;enna< 'avid. Eanuary 1*< 2::3. 5etter to Shan and "onalie Cam0#ell, Incident No. 22:*1. %ater %ell
Com0laint at SE4134:&!42*4%&M0
!55
Chafin< 'aniel< A. 177&. Source and Migration Pathays of Natural Gas in Near4Surface Ground %ater
.eneath the 1nimas "iver Lalley< Colorado and Ne Me6ico +SGS %ater "esources Investigations "e0ort 7&4
&::).
!5)
Mc;enna< 'avid. Eanuary 1*< 2::3. 5etter to Shan and "onalie Cam0#ell, Incident No. 22:*1. %ater %ell
Com0laint at SE4134:&!42*4%&M
!5*
Media 1lert #y com0lainants. March 17< 2::3 3 5andoners "eDect Closure of Groundater Cases, 'emand
Pro0er Study of Industrial Contamination
!53
1l#erta Environment. 10ril 2< 2::3. >5etter to Cam0#ells.?
!57
+S Environmental Protection 1gency. Novem#er 2::2. FS%E" 'raft Guidance for Evaluating the La0or
Intrusion to Indoor 1ir Pathay from Groundater and Soils -Su#surface La0or Intrusion Guidance/. EP15!:4
'4:24::&
!):
+S Environmental Protection 1gency. 10ril 2:1!. FS%E" $inal Guidance for 1ssessing and Mitigating the
La0or Intrusion Pathay from Su#stance Sources to Indoor 1ir -E6ternal "evie 'raft/
!)1
Gordon< Sue and 1. .lyth. Eanuary 1)< 2::3. 100endi6 C in the "e0ort Cam0#ell %ater %ell Com0laint
"evie. 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared for 1l#erta Environment.
!)2
1l#erta Environment. 2:1:. 1l#erta %ater %ell Information 'ata#ase
!)!
EnCana. 2::5. ::G:242!4&!4234%&M C.M drilling and fracturing data on file at the E"C. severe lost
circulation
EnCana. 2::5. :2G:242!4&!4234%&M C.M drilling and fracturing data on file at the E"C. severe lost
circulation
!)&
;null< Stacy. March 1) and 13< 2:1:. EnCana Investor 'ays
!)5
Greg .essey to 'r. ;arlis Muehlen#achs Email dated Se0tem#er 13< 2::). F#tained #y Ernst in 2:12 via a
2::3 $reedom of Information re=uest to the 1l#erta "esearch Council< no 1l#erta Innovates< originally
ithheld and su#se=uently ordered released after In=uiry #y the Fffice of the Information and Privacy
Commissioner.
!))
Gordon< Sue and 1. .lyth. Eanuary 1)< 2::3. Cam0#ell %ater %ell Com0laint "evie. "esearch Council Inc.
Pre0ared for 1l#erta Environment. 100endi6 C in the "e0ort.
!)*
.lyth< 1. March 12< 2::7. >Cam0#ell %ater %ell Com0laint< Phase II Investigations.? 1l#erta "esearch
Council Inc. Pre0ared for 1l#erta Energy and +tilities .oard RE"C.S.
!)3
Cam0#ell< "onalie and Shan. Eune 3< 2:1!. Num#er of re0orts to Eune 3< 2:1! on the Cam0#ell %ater
Contamination case
!)7
$rac2ingCanada Community Loice, Ahe Cam0#ells
!*:
Cam0#ell< "onalie and Shan. Eune 3< 2:1!. Num#er of re0orts to Eune 3< 2:1! on the Cam0#ell %ater
Contamination case

!*1
1l#erta 8ansard< $e#ruary 23< 2::), 1l#erta Government 0romise to citiCens ith methane contaminated
ater in fracPd coal#ed methane areas 5egislative 1ssem#ly of 1l#erta.
!*2
1l#erta 8ansard< May 27< 2::*, 1l#erta 8ansard, Not the role of 1l#erta Environment to advocate on #ehalf
of the environment 5egislative 1ssem#ly of 1l#erta
!*!
.rone< ..1. Novem#er 1< 2::&. Pum0ing4induced e#ullition, a unified and sim0lified method for measuring
multi0le dissolved gases. Environ Sci Aechnol. 2::& Nov 19!3-21/,5*274!).

!*&
1l#erta Environment. 10ril 2::&. Guidelines for Groundater 'iversion for Coal#ed MethaneGNatural Gas in
Coal 'evelo0ment.
!*5
"esults from 2::3 $FIP re=uest Ernst to the 1l#erta "esearch Council after in=uiry #y the Commissioner(s
Fffice ordered the release of ithheld records in 2:12.
!*)
EnCana 2::! tests on the Ernst ater ell
!**
EnCana 2::! tests on the Ernst ater ell
!*3
Encana. May 1< 2:1! -first a00eared in a#out Eanuary 2:12/. +0date on Ernst 5asuit. Co0ied from,
htt0,GG.encana.comGnes4storiesGin4the4nesGencana4addresses4claims.html
!*7
1l#erta Energy Minister ;en 8ughes letter to "onalie and Shan Cam0#ell< dated 10ril 27< 2:1!< Emailed on
10ril !:< 2:1!. in Num#er of re0orts to Eune 3< 2:1! on the Cam0#ell %ater Contamination case0 Ahe
Cam0#ells( res0onse and earlier corres0ondence is availa#le at $rac2ingCanada %ho Lotes for AhisI
!3:
$reedom of Information< records sent in res0onse to Ernst re=uest to the 1l#erta "esearch Council< 2::3
!31
;usnetC< N. 'ecem#er 23< 2:11. Fh< CanadaPs .ecome a 8ome for "ecord $rac2ing Pro5u2lica
"esults from $FIP re=uest #y Ernst to 1l#erta Environment< 2::3< after numerous revies #y the
Commissioner(s Fffice regarding ithheld records
!32
Ni2iforu2< 1. 'ecem#er 17< 2:11. $rac2ing Contamination >%ill Get %orse?, 1l#erta E60ert !he !yee
!3!
1l#erta 8ansard< $e#ruary 23< 2::), 1l#erta Government 0romise to citiCens ith methane contaminated
ater in fracPd coal#ed methane areas 5egislative 1ssem#ly of 1l#erta.
!3&
1l#erta Environment. Eanuary 1) @ 1*< 2::3. Sam0le $orm 5etter to com0lainants on the closure of their
contamination cases from Mr. 'avid Mc;enna< 1l#erta Environment< Groundater Policy .ranch.
Groundater Contamination Investigation No. *37&.
!35
.rent .relDe< .rent. 10ril 1:412< 2:1!. "emoving Methane in 'rin2ing %ater from 'omestic %ells 5ocated
in a Shale Gas E60loration 1rea S5" International Cor0oration 0resentation< %1AE"tech Conference< .anff
S0rings< 1..
!3)
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er !1< 2::*. Ernst %ater %ell Com0laint "evie 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared
for 1l#erta Environment.
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er !1< 2::*. Signer %ater %ell Com0laint "evie. 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared
for 1l#erta Environment.
.lyth< 1. 'ecem#er 2:< 2::*. 5auridsen %ater %ell Com0laint "evie0 1l#erta "esearch Council Inc. Pre0ared
for 1l#erta Environment.
!3*
Media re0orts< and statements in 0u#lic ton hall meetings.
!33
E"C.. 'ecem#er 2:< 2:12. E"C. Investigation "e0ort, Calte6 Energy Inc.< 8ydraulic $racturing Incident<
1)42*4:)341:%)M< Se0tem#er 22< 2:11
!37
Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers. 2:12. More $acts< 5ess $riction
!7:
Natural "esources Canada. 1ugust 5< 2:11. Shale Gas
!71
5innitt< C. 'ecem#er 22< 2:12. 1l#erta $inds Mismanagement of Errors Causes $rac2ing %ater
Contamination Desmog2log
!72
Ahom0son< SuCi. 'ecem#er 2:< 2:12. E"C., Ne rules coming for frac2ing and unconventional
resources Fast Forward $eekly
!7!
Pratt< Sheila. 'ecem#er 2:< 2:12. 5ea2ing frac2ing fluid contaminated groundater near Grande Prairie,
E"C. Investigative "e0ort and groundater monitoring #y 1l#erta Environment Edmonton +ournal
!7&
Ahom0son< SuCi. 'ecem#er 2:< 2:12. E"C., Ne rules coming for frac2ing and unconventional
resources Fast Forward $eekly
!75
Ahom0son< SuCi. 'ecem#er 2:< 2:12. E"C., Ne rules coming for frac2ing and unconventional
resources Fast Forward $eekly
!7)
ernstversusencana.ca 1llegations yet to #e 0roven in court.
!7*
E"C.. 'ecem#er 12< 2:12. Investigation "e0ort, Miday 8ydraulic $racturing Incident< Eanuary 1!< 2:12
!73
.arc.a#.ca -e#site removed off the Internet and re0laced ith a different one under 1l#erta Innovates/
!77
Ni2iforu2< 1. 'ecem#er 17< 2:11. $rac2ing Contamination >%ill Get %orse?, 1l#erta E60ert !he !yee
&::
Ni2iforu2< 1. $e#ruary 2!< 2:12. 1l#erta Plays Catch4u0 on $rac2 $ront !he !yee
&:1
Ni2iforu2< 1. $e#ruary 2!< 2:12. 1l#erta Plays Catch4u0 on $rac2 $ront !he !yee
&:2
Muehlen#achs< ;. Eanuary< 2:12. Identifying the Sources of $ugitive Methane 1ssociated ith Shale Gas
'evelo0ment< u0dated ith ne data Friginal 0resented on Novem#er 1&< 2:11 in %ashington< +S1, "esources
for the $uture. Managing the "is2s of Shale Gas, Identifying a Pathay toard "es0onsi#le 'evelo0ment
&:!
1uditor General of Canada. 2:12 $all "e0ort of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustaina#le
'evelo0ment
&:&
1l#erta Energy %e#site. 10ril 2&< 2:1!. Shale Gas
&:5
E"C.. May 21< 2:1!. 'irective :3!, 8ydraulic $racturing K Su#surface Integrity
&:)
%atson< Aeresa. March 1&< 2:1!. Energy "esources Conservation .oard Presentation at Ahe $rac2ing Aruth<
Schulich School of Engineering< Calgary 1l#erta
&:*
Nedlin< '. 10ril 2< 2:1!. Chair of 1l#ertaPs ne energy regulator a real industry insider algary ,erald
Ni2iforu2< 1. 10ril 2< 2:1!. !he !yee
8enton< '.< 10ril !< 2:1!. Protti named ne energy regulator algary ,erald
&:3
Noung< Eoan. 10ril 5< 2:1!. 5etter to the Editor. Edmonton +ournal
&:7
1l#erta Ministry of Energy. 2:12. Ahe Ministry of Energy 1nnual "e0ort 2:11412. P. 75. ISSN 1*:!4&5*&
&1:
Nedlin< '. 10ril 1!< 2:1!. Nedlin, Getting don to #uilding ne energy regulator. algary ,erald
&11
8ealing< 'an. Se0tem#er 7< 2:11. Canadian frac2ing guidelines unveiled< C1PP aims to increase trans0arency
algary ,erald
&12
Pu#lic Policy $orum. Eanuary 2&< 2::5. $ueling our $uture, Strategic Energy Policy F00ortunities for Canada
&1!
Pu#lic Policy $orum. March< 2::5. .ritish Colum#ia, Canada(s Pacific Gateay to the %orld
&1&
Cenovus %e#site. 10ril 1:< 2:1!. Fur 8istory
&15
.loom#erg .usinessee2< March 2:< 2:1!
&1)
1l#erta Innovates 4 Aechnology $utures 10ril *< 2:1!. 5eadershi0
&1*
Manas Petroleum Press "elease. $e#ruary 2&< 2:1:. Manas Com0letes 1l#anian Aransaction
&13
Petromanas Energy Inc. %e#site as of 10ril *< 2:1!
&17
Su#4Fne Aechnology. %e#site 10ril *< 2:1!. .oard of 'irectors
&2:
Canadian Institute for 1dvanced "esearch. %e#site< 10ril *< 2:1!. Gerard E. Protti details ere availa#le at
.cifar.caGgerard4D40rotti @ all Protti details had #een removed #y the May *< 2:1! lin2 chec2.
&21
Si6th Estate. 10ril *< 2:1!. Cached 5eadershi0 file and Cached Mem#ers file of Energy Policy Institute of
Canada -EPIC/9 EPIC Mem#ers include Cenovus Energy and EnCana
&22
Fffice of the Ethics Commissioner of 1l#erta. 10ril 2< 2:1!. 5o##yist "egistration for Energy Policy Institute
of Canada -EPIC/.
&2!
Pu#lic Policy $orum. March< 2::5. .ritish Colum#ia, Canada(s Pacific Gateay to the %orld
&2&
Energy Policy Institute of Canada. Novem#er 2:11. 1 Strategy for CanadaPs Glo#al Energy 5eadershi0
"egulatory "eform
&25
Mc5eod< 1ndre. Eune 21< 2::). .urning %aters, +Lic PartnerPs environmental record =uestioned Monday
Maga*ine.
&2)
Canadian 1ssociation of Petroleum Producers. May 2::) -footer says Eanuary< 2::)/ .est Management
Practices Natural Gas in Coal -NGC/GCoal#ed Methane -C.M/0 2::54::&:
&2*
"esults from 2::3 $FIP re=uest Ernst to the 1l#erta "esearch Council after in=uiry #y the Commissioner(s
Fffice ordered the release of ithheld records in 2:12.
&23
Gelinas< Grant. Fcto#er 25 -Part Fne/ @ 2) -Part Ao/< 2::). 'ocumentary on the .ruce Eac2 Contaminated
%ater %ell E60losion. % News0
&27
Nedlin< '. 10ril 2< 2:1!. Chair of 1l#ertaPs ne energy regulator a real industry insider algary ,erald
&!:
Nedlin< '. 10ril 1!< 2:1!. Nedlin, Getting don to #uilding ne energy regulator algary ,erald
&!1
.usiness Nes Netor2. Eanuary 1!< 2:1!. $rac2ing Contamination %ill Fnly Get %orse %ell Media
Aranscri0t
&!2
Ni2iforu2< 1. 'ecem#er 17< 2:11. $rac2ing Contamination >%ill Get %orse?, 1l#erta E60ert !he !yee
&!!
"egrou0ement interrXgional sur le gaC de schiste de la vallXe du Saint45aurent. Eune 2:1!. ProDet de 5oi !*.

&!&
MuX#ec government. 2:11. Com0ilation 0Xtroliere et gaCiere 4 MuX#ec. MinistYre des "essources naturelles et
de la $aune< 'irection du #ureau des hydrocar#ures.
Fthere is a lot of data that different companies and different entities have
that have been collected since the hydraulic fracturing started,
but these data are proprietary....
I really would implore on everybody involved to share the data....
'odcast interview with *adisav /. &idic, )ssociate 'rofessor, Bniversity of 'ittsburgh