• Home
  • About
  • Publications
  • Links
    • Drilling and Fracking
    • Resources
    • Stuff I Like
    • TX Progressive Alliance
  • Must See Videos
  • PSYOPS
  • Shale Survival
    • Before drilling starts
    • Tools
    • Medical
  • FAQ
  • Contact Me

Texas Sharon's Bluedaze

Fracking News

VIDEO: Aruba Petroleum Toxic Spill in Barnett Shale

October 31, 2009 By TXsharon

As promised, here is some of the video footage from the spill at an Aruba Petroleum drilling site in the Barnett Shale. More video that exposes Aruba Petroleum employees’ attempt at a cover up coming soon. A first person, eye witness account is posted HERE.

What you won’t see in these videos: You won’t see the workers at the Aruba Petroleum drill site springing into action to prevent the spill or to clean it up. Where is everybody?

As this story unfolds, you will see a pattern of intimidation used by Aruba Petroleum in an effort to silence landowners. This pattern of intimidation is not unique to Aruba.

Kasey [Aruba Petroleum employee] asked me who had contacted a company in California about a sound barrier. I told him that I had. Tim returned shortly thereafter and started taking pictures of the vehicles in the pasture. Kasey told me that if Tim did not stop, he would have to get a restraining order and Tim would not be able to come home.

For more information on how Aruba Petroleum conducts drilling operations see these posts (and don’t miss the comments):

Spill on Aruba Petroleum Barnett Shale Drill Site!

Aruba Petroleum, Operations in the Barnett Shale – In your backyard

Aruba Petroleum, Operations in the Barnett Shale

Looking Out a Barnett Shale Kitchen Window

Also note the latest findings about drilling toxins in the Barnett Shale air to see what Tim, Christine and their daughter are breathing. (They live in the county with the most VOCs.)

Toxin Discovery in Barnett Shale Air

New Investigation of Toxic DISH Air

About Sharon Wilson

Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.

  • Mail
  • |
  • Web
  • |
  • More Posts(5115)

Filed Under: Aruba, Barnett Shale, oil and gas drilling. pollution

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    October 31, 2009 at 7:21 pm

    Great Job
    You were on this story months ago
    They ran this story for 2 nights
    Thanks

    http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa091030_wz_benzene2.26be63b79.html

  2. Christine says

    October 31, 2009 at 9:21 pm

    This waste pit is approximately 300feet and in clear view my daughter's trampoline and play area.

    Aruba Petroleum CEO and CFO were made aware of this via email on October 22nd including pictures from her play area.

    The Aruba Petroleum site supervisor, of course, has been aware of this since the rig went up on October 6th.

    I am thankful that she wasn't outside playing when the spill occured. Her well-being is obviously of no concern to Aruba Petroleum's senior management.

  3. Tammi says

    October 31, 2009 at 9:44 pm

    Great videos of an awful spill. This probably happens way more than we can imagine.

  4. TXsharon says

    October 31, 2009 at 10:01 pm

    Your daughter is merely collateral damage. She is in their way of making profit and they don't care who gets hurt. The only thing they care about, the only reason they exist is profit.

  5. Jovan Gonzales says

    November 1, 2009 at 10:09 pm

    Wow. That is insane! I always enjoy reading your blogs and abhor the way these companies do business. It's awful! I hate that they don't respond to the landowners' needs, considering that it IS their land!

  6. TXsharon says

    November 1, 2009 at 11:23 pm

    Yeah, it's outrageous! But apparently, you don't really own the land you only get to live there at the mercy of the mineral owner. It's a messed up law. I'm a mineral owner but I still think the law needs to change to give surface owners some protection.

  7. Anonymous says

    November 7, 2009 at 6:13 pm

    Does anyone know how far away from the site homes can be adversely impacted? Obviously airborne so should be an issue all around?

    Wondering if anyone knows anything about public or private meetings that have included Ro*** Ranch in Denton County regarding this matter?

  8. Anonymous says

    November 7, 2009 at 11:33 pm

    judging by the video there is no way this is a blowout. if it was a blowout you would have drilling mud all over your house and yard

  9. Christine says

    November 7, 2009 at 11:59 pm

    This is for Anonymous that posted regarding Rayzor Ranch in Denton County.

    This is not directed at you specifically Rayzor Ranch, but Anonymous needs to come out of the woodwork overall. If we speak the truth and stand up for what is right, what's the problem with revealing our identity?

    With regard to your question, my experience has been that it can be within 200 feet from your home or barn, PERIOD.

    The Oil and Gas industry is exempt from virtually every provision that might protect you from land, air, and water contamination.

    Just pray that Aruba Petroleum is not the lease holder.

    We tried to tell our story to the Denton Record Chronicle on your behalf, but we are not in your county. We are a driving distance of 15 minutes away, unfortunately.

    P.S. I work in Denton and my daughter goes to school there.

  10. Christine says

    November 8, 2009 at 12:04 am

    This is for the "Anonymous" who states this is not blowout.

    Identify yourself as an expert in the industry. Why are you "Anonymous" if you are the knowledgeable one?

    Can you tell me what was in the orange tanks hooked up to the rig when the spill occured?

    To be honest, I don't care whether it was a blowout or not. I would just like to know what was spilled all over my property and then hosed down so that it went into our water supply.

    I would also like to know why, after two hours, no one from Aruba Petroleum reported it.

    Also, Anonymous, why is the TRC testing for benzene?

  11. Anonymous says

    November 8, 2009 at 9:40 pm

    benzene is found in the formations that a drilling rig typically drills through. sometimes its present, sometimes its not. the only evidence of its presence in the formation would be a trace amount in the drilling fluid. more than likely the orange tanks you saw said stallion on the side and were there to empty the septic systems of the mobile homes on location.

  12. Christine says

    November 14, 2009 at 9:39 pm

    Anonymous,

    That's the odd thing. There are no markings on the tanks or truck. Also, is it standard practice to hose down the sides of the tanks with a water truck before they leave the area if it is septic?

  13. TXsharon says

    November 14, 2009 at 9:43 pm

    I doubt it was septic because those big septic tanks outside the trailers probably wouldn't be that full yet. Besides, companies that operate on the cheap like Aruba sometimes just dump the septic in the drilling waste pit. Saves money, ya know.

Trackbacks

  1. Aruba Petroleum supervisor comments on Texas Monthly article says:
    November 30, 2011 at 11:00 am

    […] a half-assed sound barrier, and violated the law repeatedly by failing to report your many leaks, spills and emissions. As the supervisor, you failed to have even a basic understanding of drilling […]

Stalk TXsharon

Recent Posts

  • Update: Chris Faulkner > IT Guy > Frack Master > Felon
  • French Energy Giant Total Declares War on Texas Toddlers
  • Hydrocarbon odors during oil and gas drilling
  • MSNBC and TXsharon in the Texas fracking zone
  • Blowout: Inside America’s Energy Gamble
  • The global warming potential of methane is damn important

Like Earthworks on Facebook

Categories

Archives

All work © Sharon Wilson. No works may be shared copied in full without permission. Bluedaze: Drilling Reform. Site Design by Sumy Designs. Powered by those who advocate for a safe and healthy environment.