Drilling spills provide teachable moment
An inadvertent release of a drilling mixture during construction of a natural gas pipeline in Ohio has become the topic of numerous headlines throughout the state. While the occurrence makes for sensational media reports, the realities of the situation — which are not nearly as drastic as news accounts might suggest — are worth consideration, both for their insight into the operations of energy infrastructure developers as well as the relationship between private companies and regulators.
In recent weeks, a nontoxic substance used to lubricate and cool drilling equipment has escaped in modest swaths along the construction path of the Rover Pipeline in Ohio. While unfortunate, the occurrence is hardly cause for alarm. In fact, officials explicitly accounted for the possibility during the permitting process, and the company in charge of construction has dutifully followed protocol to mitigate any lasting impact.
The release occurred in the course of horizontal directional drilling, which is widely considered an industry best practice. Horizontal directional drilling, or HDD, employs trenchless technologies to lay pipelines well below levels that would impact roads, rivers, or wetlands. The practice offers a necessary precaution against potential effects to these sensitive areas.
The “inadvertent return” of drilling mud, as it’s known in the business, is not uncommon. It is the process of a mixture of water and naturally occurring bentonite clay rising through cracks in the soil to the surface. Although the discharge temporarily creates boggy conditions, the longterm effect is more nuisance than consequential. Bentonite poses no known environmental hazard and is present in many household items, including cosmetics, medicines, soaps, and even mineral water.
Most importantly, project authorities responded to the situation promptly and by the book to control any potentially larger fallout. Rover immediately notified the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission once the leaks were discovered. In tandem with state and federal officials, the company worked to capture fluids at the two sites, and reports indicate at least one is fully contained.
At the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s request, Rover halted new drilling until the cause is determined and will double the number of inspectors at construction areas.
The incidents truly stand monument to the advances industry and regulators have made to preempt and respond to more serious incidents. Of course, no construction method is without its potential downsides, and the accidental discharge should be used to further develop safeguards and bolster public-private partnerships.
Ultimately, oil and natural gas are a necessary pillar of the United States’ energy portfolio.
These resources have positioned us to address energy needs across the country and to move toward energy independence. They are critical to long-term economic growth, in Ohio and nationwide.
To secure the remarkable energy production occurring here at home and to better protect communities and the environment, the United States must continue to invest in energy infrastructure.
Pipeline systems have a proven record of safety and reliability. In recent years, regulators and producers have made strides to bring to market new technologies to improve these networks’ dependability even further
Pipelines aren’t perfect; no energy transportation system is. That should not stop regulators and industry leaders from continually working together to find solutions to make them better.
Incidents like those on the Rover Pipeline should serve as an opportunity to build on what’s working, not to walk the conversation backward.