Report on Pa. gas well blowout cites mistakes, problems with equipment tests and training

Mistakes, training blamed in Pa. gas well blowout

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A consultant says rig workers’ inexcusable failure to use enough pressure-control devices led to a natural gas well blowout in Pennsylvania last month.

Consultant John Vittitow’s report released Tuesday also criticizes the drilling crew’s lack of training and proper equipment tests.

He says he knows of no company that would cut the same corners.

The state Department of Environmental Protection has ordered all companies to obey a set of safety procedures designed to prevent a repeat.

Department Secretary John Hanger says the incident is embarrassing to the well owner, Texas-based EOG Resources Inc.

Explosive gas and toxic wastewater blasted out of control for 16 hours at EOG’s Marcellus Shale in rural Clearfield County in early June. No one was hurt.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A consultant says rig workers’ failure to use enough pressure-control devices led to a natural gas well blowout in central Pennsylvania last month.

Consultant John Vittitow’s report being released Tuesday also criticizes the drilling crew’s lack of training and testing of equipment.

Vittitow was to appear with state Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger to discuss his report.

Hanger hired Vittitow to investigate the June 3-4 blowout, which blasted explosive gas and toxic wastewater into the air for 16 hours before control was restored.

No one was injured and the gas did not ignite.

It happened during finishing work on a Marcellus Shale well owned by Houston-based EOG Resources Inc. in rural Clearfield County.