progress in quebec, page-4

Found this article posted on another forum. Quite entertaining and typical of how environmentalist attack shale gas companies without any truthful results.

On Dec. 24, it was reported in the media that an Alberta scientists (specialist in water analysis) had found methane from drilling activities in watershed.

Today, their balloon blew up.

The samples (2) didn't come from any well activity. They came from rain water that had accumulated in the cellar of the wells. Not shale gas wells.

Here’s the statement from the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, Quebec.

Press release

SHALE GAS - SAMPLES ANALYZED BY THE RESEARCHER DID NOT COME FROM ALBERTA GROUNDWATER

Québec, January 16, 2012 - The Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, Pierre Arcand, was assured that the water samples analyzed by a researcher Alberta did not come from an aquifer and one could not conclude, as mentioned in some media, a gas migration into the groundwater. The Department remains vigilant and also does not compromise the safety of sites.

As early as December, the Department contacted all the companies with shale gas wells in Quebec so that they pass all the test results of methane in groundwater, including dissolved methane and isotope analysis may possess in connection with their activities in Québec.

All of the companies responded to the request of the Ministry and research carried out by them have concluded that the water analyzed by the researchers from gas samples collected in August 2010 in the cellar of the two wells Company Dillon Consulting Group, at the request of Talisman. The Alberta researchers assumed, wrongly, that the samples received were from an aquifer. Rather, it was rain water had accumulated in the cellar of the wells.

The Minister said that experts from his department have done to date some 200 inspections on various wells and that the development complies with the inspection results on two wells in question, or the site of St. Edward and the Gentilly 2. The Department has conducted four inspections in effect at the site of St. Edward since 2010 and 6 of the Gentilly 2. Specific measures of gas migration were performed in some of these inspections and controls show that these sites meet the thresholds established by the Department.

"Although there is currently no exploration activity underway in Quebec due to the holding of a strategic environmental assessment, the Department remains vigilant and continues its work of inspection, control and supervision. The phenomenon of migration is being closely monitored. The motto is to make no compromise on the protection of public health and preserving the environment, "concluded Minister Arcand.

http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/infuseur/communique.asp?no=2023