John Hanson, Village President

 Rick Scott, Tom Gossman, Scott Baty,  from SRW

Peg Comfort, Terry Smith, from Forest Home Township

Ken Stead, Janet Person, Village staff

John Hanson called the meeting to order.

Person – since there are gas and oil wells going in and around our well head protection area, we need to get some answers to provide to MDEQ.  I sent out a list of questions, and if we would like to start there.

Questions for the Wellhead Protection Committee

1.                  Will the natural gas be pumped in solution water containing high 
chloride concentrations?

No, it is brackish water; by industry standards this is a low concentration.  This water is coming out of an area 4-6 hundred feet deep, a real light salty taste if any.  If there were a high concentrate it would turn your stomach.  So to answer that question.  Peg asked what the concentration was?  Tom said it varies from well to well, but until such time as we actually drill we won’t know.     What is your idea of low concentration, what range?  300-400 ppm. or it could go as high as 10,000 ppm.  Which is still considered low?  Person asked if that was normal in the industry in the Antrim Shale.  The Antrim Shale is a very low and it is a high-risk business, but this one is low risk

2.                  Where is the proposed pipeline going to be located with regards to 
the North Well Field's wellhead protection area? 

A map was shown ( and is in the office) and has been approved by the Village.  They are 517 feet from the six-inch well, with their well.  The well will be to the southwest of this well, and the well will be about 800 feet.  All our wells are within that area.  How close are to the wellhead area.  The well is outside the protection area, but the pipeline won’t be.  Hanson wants to confirm that the well is outside, but your lines will be in our protection area, and that was correct.  Pipeline is 20 feet from the well, but that could be moved.  They were put there, because the road gives us better access.  This was determined by Ken and SRW and to stay away from the ridge that would have to be cut.  It then continues onto an existing two track.  SRW goal is to do the least amount of surface damage and still get the job done. Discussion of topographic area and existing features.  John asked why it loops and not goes direct.  SRW in discussions with DPW thought coming up 2^nd Street was better and then they would also have the access, and the direct route has a ridge and trees.  If that is no longer agreeably they are willing to discuss other routes. 

3.                  What type of leak detection testing is typically done on the pipe 
lines? 

 When it is initially done, it is static tested, before it is put into production.  They then go back twice a year with a snifter to detect leaks on the line.  The other method at the facilities is that they have alarms that detect it by poundage.  The processing facility will be on Lee Gregory’s property, about 2 miles north of the well site.  If the lines leak, does it make a difference if you are 200 foot or 20 foot away, will there be a difference in impact to our water?  SRW says no.  They have had leaks before, but only once they had to haul soil away.   P. Comfort asked about other proposed wells for the area, and SRW provided a map for review.  Discussion of the wells, and they are working with Mike Meriwether on the routes on County land.  P. Comfort gave an opinion of how she felt the wells should run to avoid the wells and school. SRW says that MDEQ has reviewed.  They said that MDEQ has their own regulations to place the wells.  They said that they are placed where MDEQ wants them.  P. Comfort asked if they had asked to change the wells.  SRW said that MDEQ has reviewed this and this is their recommendation.  SRW said that when they asked to move one well to a more favorable spot, MDEQ was going to take the entire project under review again and it took nine to get it approved and they were going to start all over. MDEQ liked where they are and picked them.  Scott said if they moved the well, it would take out more timber and more roads. 

4.                  Would the gas company be willing to conduct additional testing of 
the lines on more frequent basis?

Person asked if they would test it more often.  SRW would have no problem.  Stead asked for a couple of valves in that area, SRW said they could put in a check value on one side and shut offs, possibly similar to the Airport.    What is the distance from the well to the school is just over 800 feet.  

5.                  Can the gas company install automatic leak detection equipment on 
the pipeline to quickly alarm in the event of a leak?

They have alarm boxes and can isolate the leak and not shut down the entire system.  They monitor their water very carefully.  They are in the water business with the by-product being gas.  It is a liability to SRW if there is a leak
 

6.                  Would the gas company be willing to use two concentric pipes (pipe 
inside of pipe) with leak detection equipment for the portion of the 
line that crosses the wellhead protection area? 

 SRW brought along an example of the pipe that they use.  (Discuss on the pipe)  Person asked if they would be willing to double pipe the system in the wellhead protection area.  SRW stated that it is necessary; the failure rate is so low that they don’t feel it is necessary.  It is cost prohibitive and they don’t feel you would be gaining anything.  If it leaks it would leak on one end or the other.  Person said that you would be willing to put in shut off values and SRW didn’t feel that was a problem.  They pay a lot of attention to their wells.  If it leaks, it is going to leak even if double sleeved and it may be more difficult to find the leak. 

7.                  What are the clean-up procedures performed for the high chlorine 
water after a leak? Would this be protective of our aquifer and well 
head protection area.  SRW stated that they have a procedure manual.  Person asked in layman terms.  First they shut off the nearest isolation value, call the main headquarters, and someone is out in approx. ½ hour to dig it up and repair it.  They also take samples of area.  Person asked if it leaks, what does Ken want done.  Ken is on the list if there is a leak, and would be notified. 

Peg asked about fencing and they don’t typically fence.  If there appears to be a problems, they don’t have any problem putting up a fence in the area of the school.  If we feel it is necessary they will put up the fence and it is most likely a good due diligence movement. 

Village would like to have SRW to do the following:

A.     Notify Ken if there is a leak

B.     Fence around well head

C.    Isolation values of the area

D.    Automatic shut-off values- said it would be costly, Ken said that our wells have it on and it could be done.  In terms of the community, to assure that their water is protected it a top priority.  SRW talked about natural gas, and Ken said they are not using water.  Water is much more visible for the community.  SRW asked what Ken was using and he talked about his alarm system.  Sensors are at both ends, there won’t be a lost of pressure between the well and our wells, without them knowing, and SRW agreed.  More discussion on the alarm system at their main facilities.  Peg said it sounds like you are not willing to put in an automatic shut down.  SRW said it is not that they aren’t willing, but there is a cost to it.  The airport cost $15,000-$20,000.  T. Smith said that if it is a matter of money that is not a good reason.  There is no alarm that shuts down the facility, but there would be at Gregory’s.   The lines do not shut down for a leak.  Ken asked what standards the airport had to meet before they got one.  They explained the reasons, and that the airport is actually transporting gas and not work.    Person asked if there was anything by the well head protection area that would alarm to a leak, and SRW said not really until something bubbles out of the ground.  Ken’s staff also monitors these wells every day. 

SRW tries to exceed the industry standards.  Hanson asked if there was a leak, how many days before it is detected, and it is small the company says that it may never be detected.  Water does have brine in it, it is not clean, but not enough to even put on the road.  Wells will be productive for 15 years or longer.  SRW has been around and plans to be around for the long haul, and the company is not bought and sold as others are.  They use the top quality materials.  More discussion about gas companies in the

Person asked if they would be willing to look at moving the well site with MDEQ.  Peg asked that they look at moving the location of the well, away from the school and the wells.  SRW says there are slopes, and Peg agrees, but we do it all the time, and if money is the only consideration, you are avoiding a lot.  You are avoiding the school and the wells.  She understands it may cause a delay, may cost more money, but when you are looking at protecting a Village water supply it is worth it.  You can reduce other potential problems.  SRW doesn’t feel that it would offer any more protection; it will never reach the wells.  The plan has been reviewed, but as far as harm, they are not seeing any where the wells are located.  They have met the state standards and don’t see a safety issue.  Village wells are sealed from the surface, to pick one location and say there may be leak, it way out there. 

Ken talked about changing the route from Second St.  SRW has worked with us on the road placement.  SRW will work with Ken to change the roads as they agree.  They will improve our road with our gravel. 

SRW will change the roads, and put in isolation values around our wells.  The Village has accepted money for the easement, but SRW is willing to work with the Village on where that goes, based on these discussion, they are not hard nosed about the location.  It takes heavy equipment away from the wells. 

Hanson will take the changes to the Council.  Timeline was discussed and SRW is fine with that, they won’t be drilling until late summer or fall. 

The well itself is outside the Village limits and we have no authority on asking them to move the well. 

(Since this meeting, Peg Comfort has informed me that she spoke with MDEQ and that the changing of the well site would just need review and could possibly be done in just a couple of weeks.  Additionally, SRW has not approached the school to date about a well on their property. )

The complete tape of this meeting is available for review by contacting the Village of Bellaire offices.