Tag: Safety Violations

Drilling Company Cited for Two Tank Explosions

State regulators have ordered Antero Resources to suspend operations at two drilling pads where water tanks ruptured recently.

Two water tanks ruptured at the company’s Marsden Pad in Doddridge County on April 11. On April 15, two tanks ruptured at Antero’s Varner-West Pad in Harrison County.

Department of Environmental Protection spokeswoman Kelley Gillenwater said the agency’s Office of Oil and Gas issued two imminent danger notices of violation in response to each incident.

The office also issued a pollution notice of violation regarding the Doddridge County incident.

Gillenwater said pressure buildup in the tanks caused the ruptures.

The DEP ordered Antero to suspend operations at both sites until it provides detailed information related to the cause of the pressure buildup and a plan to prevent such incidents.

MSHA Issues 290 Citations at Mines Over Last Two Months

Federal mining regulators issued more than 290 citations during October and November impact inspections.
 
     The U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration says it also issued 21 orders following inspections at 18 coal mines and three other mines.
 

MSHA issued 36 citations and six orders at Maple Coal Co.’s Maple Eagle No. 1 Mine in Fayette County.
 
     The mine operator was cited for violating an approved roof control and ventilation plans and failing to install needed roof supports.
 
     Mines in West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Minnesota and Utah also received citations.
 
     The inspections began in 2010 after a mine explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia that killed 29 coal miners.
 
     Since then MSHA has conducted 687 inspections and issued 11,427 citations and 1,052 orders.
 

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