The university announced last week that two steps remain before natural gas begins flowing from the well site on the southeast corner of campus: flushing of waste water used to fracture underground rock, and burning off of water-contaminated gas.
Regarding the latter procedure, a university announcement stated: “Carrizo [the developer] has advised us that it is likely that a flame from the apparatus inside the well site might be visible from outside the well site. This is standard practice within the natural gas industry and is entirely normal and safe.” The Star-Telegram reports that the flaring resulted in “spectacular flames shooting skyward” on Saturday night.
University statement, Sept. 17
Star-Telegram blurb, Sept. 22
Shorthorn story referring to the flare (with photo), Sept. 22
Ventura County, California pollution experts say flaring releases over 60 pollutants into the air. I don’t call that harmless. UTA officials, with the assistance of independent, third party experts, should do their own research into the effects of flaring and stop taking the word of a major campus polluter as gospel. Homeowners in the immediate neighborhood are complaining that flaring fumes are detectable.
It is unfortunate that a university with a genuine interest in environmental issues has allowed gas drilling to spoil their many worthy projects and, thus, their credibility.
See this report from last year on West and Clear:
http://thecaravanofdreams.blogspot.com/2007/12/what-was-that-fire-in-sky.html
It is difficult to comprehend why an institution of higher learning would contribute to the gross purposful ignorance concerning the environmental issues that accompany massive gas production in an urban area! With this “head in the sand” attitude of UTA staff and management, I wouldn’t send my dog there for an education.
How would you feel if the fumes were very strong in your bedroom and that is what woke you up. How would you feel if you started having severe chest pain from the fumes? I had 4 extra air filters running on high and this happened to me. UTA’s Spaniolo and Carrizo Oil and Gas both received certifed return receipt letter from my physician and both refuse to help.
That should tell you something and it is not good.
John Hall, V.P. for Administrative and Campus Operations, reports:
The flaring was completed successfully in only 18 hours for all six wells. The pipeline construction should be completed by October 30th at which time we will begin transporting gas to market from our wells.