Statistical Analysis of “Significant Incident” Data for Barnett Shale Gas Wells

Statistical Analysis of “Significant Incident” Data for Barnett Shale Gas Wells
By Jerry J. Lobdill
Physicist and chemical engineer (retired)

In case you have a pipeline in your front yard or if your city hasn’t signed this resolution, you might want to read this analysis.

From Who’s Playin’:

This study produces a calibrated mathematical model of the gathering pipeline Significant Incident (SI) rate as a function of the total number of producing wells in a given region. It uses official data published by the US Department of Transportation Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and their Texas agency for data collection and regulation, the Texas Railroad Commission (TRC). The purpose of this model is to forecast the expected SI rate in the City of Fort Worth as the industry increases the number of producing gas wells in the City.

Check out this quote:

if the industry succeeds in placing 3000 wells in Fort Worth there will, on average, be approximately one significant incident every 6 months in Fort Worth for as long as the wells remain active. If 5600 wells is achieved, the SI rate would be about 1 every 3.5 months.

Just today: 1 injured in well head explosion

Corrosion blamed for pipeline blast

Safeguarding the system: Meet Alaska’s corrosion cops