HARRISBURG, Pa. - A consultant says a natural gas drilling company failed to use a proper pressure-control backup system before a well blowout in Pennsylvania last month.
Consultant John Vittitow's report, released yesterday, also criticizes the drilling crew's lack of training and proper equipment testing.
Vittitow says he knows of no company that would cut the same corners.
Houston-based EOG Resources and its contractor, C.C. Forbes, are agreeing to pay maximum fines of more than $400,000 combined and to take a set of corrective actions.
EOG says it regrets the blowout and will follow new operational procedures outlined by state regulators.
Explosive gas and toxic wastewater blasted out of control for 16 hours at EOG's Marcellus Shale in rural Clearfield County in early June.
