Services

Marcellus Shale Gas

We understand and recognize the environmental issues facing oil and gas operators in the Appalachian Basin. Our founder, David Palmerton, has been active in the oil and gas industry and environmental services to the industry since 1978. Our services include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Petroleum spills management
  • Surface water and groundwater studies
  • Landowner water well sampling and analysis
  • NEPA/SEQR impact analysis
  • SPCC/NPDES permits
  • GIS mapping and database
  • Operation, maintenance and monitoring of water treatment systems
  • Susquehanna River Basin Commission and Delaware River Basin Commission permits
  • Watershed studies
  • Well plugging management

David Palmerton, president and CEO of Palmerton Group, discusses responsible drilling practices and Marcellus Shale Gas regulation during a recent interview on Syracuse's WAER-FM.

Play MP3 Audio

Frac Flow-Back Water Study

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) is undertaking a program to study the chemical makeup of frac flow-back water produced in association with development of the Marcellus Shale. While there is no specific or single incident that triggered this investigation, conversations with PADEP personnel suggest that a recent increase in public awareness and concern over hydrofracturing of the Marcellus Shale contributed to the Department’s decision. Additionally, PADEP claims there is no specific concern over the frac water and that this study is simply that, an investigation to characterize frac flowback water. Analytes include inorganics such as metals, up to 69 volatile and 122 semivolatile organic compounds, glycols, and radioisotopes.

While the study is still underway and analysis of the results has not been published, The Palmerton Group obtained analytical results from 42 samples of frac and flowback water collected by PADEP personnel in 2008 and 2009. This information was obtained via a Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law request, fulfilled via email on February 1, 2010. PADEP is in the process of reviewing the data and will present formal findings in the future.

Downloads
Related Links