throughout the Barnett Shale area.
The methane mapping equipment was developed by Picarro, Inc. and is considered the “Gold Standard” by the World Meteorological Organization. It measures concentration but does not quantify the measurements. The methane maps can accurately pinpoint the source then air samples can determine what emissions are contained in the plumes. Methane sources are abundant and extremely high throughout the entire Barnett Shale area. Methane can contain VOC’s with many toxic and cancer causing chemicals. Methane is the most powerful GHG.
Chris Rella, Ph.D. Director of R&D, Picarro, Inc. was in the van operating the equipment but it’s user friendly enough that anyone can operate it.
This slide is from Wilma Subra’s presentation. It’s an image from the methane mapping in DISH yesterday when it was extremely windy. Today in less wind we got much higher readings but I don’t have an image of that map yet.
Getting a picture that’s in focus in the van is tricky but here’s a photo of the setup.
The following slide is from a presentation by Alisa Rich, Wolf Eagle Environmental. This plume is from Flower Mound in the area where a cancer cluster is currently under investigation. The plume exceeded 40ppm which is the cut off point of the equipment.
The plume came from this Williams facility. For 2 hours the team investigated the plume to isolate the source. During that time, the readings never went below 20ppm.
On the way to DISH for the meeting, we drove down Henderson. When we were even with the well at Greenwood Cemetery, the readings spiked up to 7.5ppm.
From the questions, the point was made that yesterday was very cold so the benzene concentrations in the methane would be much lower than on a warmer day.
Live from DISH, Texas.
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.
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Interesting photo. Looks like there is a bunch of other stuff on site, other than a compressor! Looks like treating equipment, like dehydrators, scavengers, and amine treaters, etc. Is this the Williams of Clayton Williams, ie. "Claytie"?
Blogs are so informative where we get lots of information on any topic. Nice job keep it up!!
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Meteorology Dissertation
I need some help understanding the significance of these findings. Since methane is a major component of natural gas wouldn't you expect to find elevated levels around a drilling site? I'm just trying to understand not critize. I'm pretty new to the topic.
This is shocking. You can bet that there is more than methane in the air too. Those on the town council that didn't want the moratorium should be shaking in their boots. I smell a lawsuit.
Leaking methane is something that is easily fixed with technonlgy described in Drill-Right Texas.
Reasons leaking methane is bad:
1. Wasted product
2. It can contain VOCs and 1/2 of our air pollution In DFW area is caused from drilling activity.
3. Methane often contains dangerous neurotoxins and cancer causing toxins like benzene.
4. One of the highest areas measured was in the area of Flower Mound where a childhood cancer cluster is being investigated.
5. Methane is the most powerful greenhouse gas.
Here is an email I sent the the mayor and council:
Mayor Smith,
Make sure you read about where they were testing in Flower Mound. Mayor – if you think you don't need the 3000 votes of those of us who signed the petition then you are a fool. Your statements during the last part of the town council this Monday were shameful. You think it does residents a disservice to listen to the petition signers. Well, the now over 3000 people who signed the petition are residents. I guess you feel you can win an election without those 3000 voters – I think not. Don't you think the poison such as the poison mentioned in this article is doing us a disservice? Once again, shame on you for allowing this in the town. This area that Mr. Rella studied has drills, compressors . . . Now you want to add to it with allowing waste there as well! This was done while you were mayor. Your are responsible. Don't be proud of what you "accomplished" as mayor. Be warned – you have made lots of residents mad and we won't forget. You lost a child – you think you would want to save others the terrible grief that causes. The fact that this stuff causes many life threatening (and yes fetal) problems doesn't seem to bother you. I live near this mess – I am fearful for my kids. I blame you. How you can live with yourself knowing what you allowed as mayor is beyond me.
I live in Flower Mound. I do not know how many people were involved with the air testing, however, I deeply appreciate all your hard work. Thank-you! I suppose if the CCF ends up here, the water could be at risk for contaminated next. Of course we all know it can be contaminated with drilling anyway.
Flower Mound residents, the time is now to revolt against our inept government. I do not use revolt lightly, however, they have squandered the public trust to their very first responsibility, the welfare, safety, and health, (not to mention the freedom from fear) that where we live is indeed affecting our very lives. Flower Mound is uniquely positioned to fight this fight, but it is not just about Flower Mound. It is about the sacrifice of so many people before it came to this town. Flower Mound MUST be the line in the sand, we are the only community with the citizens with the means to tell the most powerful industry on the face of the planet, you will not use our lives as a means to your ends. Make no mistake, lives, homes, careers, reputations, friends, are all on the line and it will tear the very fabric of the community, but the fight is a good one, and I will fight whoever says otherwise, please join us, for the most fundamental right given to you is at stake.
I am with you. But what to do next? The petition is good, I have contacted the mayor, governor, EPA and tceq. I feel what we are doing now is not enough. I am with you – any ideas of what to do? I am fighting mad!
Is anyone else like me in that I feel I can't let my kids outside to play. Really. It is terrible. Do I let them out to play or not. I honestly don't want to.
Vote for Northern, Filidoro, and Lyda, that would be a REALLY good start and they WILL fight. We need the resources of the Town in this fight, that is the only way to do it. Lawsuit is an option, but do we have the time for the slow wheels of justice, (assuming we get it) to turn? It takes a lot of people to pony up a lot of money.
Push for a moratorium on new permits!
Williams vs. Families of kids with Cancer….jury of their peers, who do you think would win? If you have a risk management group Williams, I would triple the staff in very short order. If those canister tests come back positive, "well", hire EVEN more lawyers. You can start with Jeff Tasker, ex-Flower Mound Town Council member, and now Williams Yes-man.
Have Lyda, Northern and Filidoro said if they support the petition or not? I'd like to hear or see a statement from them. I'd also like to have the pledge to accept the petition moratorium ordinance as written during there first council meeting if it hasn't been accepted already
Filidoro already voted against it, so I think it's safe to say he is against it and has the record to prove it. I can tell you Webb (the only named opponent so far has a gas lease) so geee, I wonder where he stands.
I don't want a safe to say. Remember Wallace? He said what needed to be said to get elected too. Look where that got us. I agree the Filidoro is probably supportive. If so it shouldn't be hard for him to say it. As for Northern and Lyda, I want to hear the words out of their mouthes and I want a commitment to accept the ordinance too. You want my vote: commit. Other wise I'm writing in anyone of the people who's active on Flower Mound Cares Face Book
I will vote for Northern to get smith out. And I will be looking for any way to ever file charges against smith for her actions and non actions. Weather she likes it or not citizens are watching her closely.