There is no single solution to the problem of nearly 200 abandoned natural gas wells below Versailles, the U.S. Department of Energy announced today in a long-awaited $1 million report.
The report was expected in August, but was held for review by scientific experts, according to U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Swissvale, who obtained federal money for the study.
Versailles residents became concerned in September when an Associated Press report revealed that, in addition to methane, toxic hydrogen sulfide gas had been found.
Over the last year, the DOE's National Energy Technology Lab in South Park and surveyors drilled into several wells in the town, dropping video cameras into the holes and testing the gases.
In the report, they recommended various venting options, in-home methane monitoring and new ordinances to fix the problem. If that is not adequate, existing gas emitting wells could be cleaned and drilled out to below the gas-producing layer of sandstone, which is about 3,000 feet underground.
The cost of installing vents can range from less than $100 to several thousand dollars per vent, and installing ventilation trenches could average about $10,000 per trench, according to the report. Methane alarms for homes cost about $300. Drilling below the wells would cost about $30,000 per well.
The report recommended an ordinance that would order any site for new construction be investigated for the presence of wells and gas prior to construction. It also called for gas venting and continued monitoring of construction sites.
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