There is a Santa Claus!

PARTNER received a call from Apache. They have determined that the presence of Hydrogen Sulfide (poison gas) at the Rosebud Well warrants a flare, alarm, warning lights and a fence around the perimeter of the area.  Short of a dome over the entire thing or moving the well to another county, it is giving me some reassurance that we will have a heads-up to the presence of this lethal gas. I'm not sure who monitors this equipment, but I will sleep a little more securely knowing it is in place.
To show I'm not really a Grinch, I hope that Santa will relent and bring Apache some closed loop systems for containing the drilling refuse that usually end up in reserve pits.  These tanks are used by the big boys (Shell, Chevron, Exxon, etc.) because they reduce waste management, site closure costs, liability, surface disturbance, risks to wildlife and livestock and are just good PR. The problem with all this drilling detritus is that it can contaminate the soil with hydrocarbons, metals and salts which have the potential to work into surface or ground water.  These tanks not only separate liquids and solids, they can be emptied at a disposal site and reused. The EPA suggests that a closed loop system for drilling fluids can reduce the volume of required fluids by 90%.  They also have the endorsement of the Texas Railroad Commission, the overseers the drilling industry.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a safe night!