Bubbling, Gurgling Unwelcome Surprises in the Red Desert
Monday, April 30, 2007
Bubbling, gurgling unwelcome surprises in the Red Desert, as "mud pots" have been popping up in the Atlantic Rim area. While similar features are naturally found in Yellowstone, there are suspicions that these new "mud pots" are not natural. Steve Jones with the Wyoming Outdoor Council says initial testing suggests a link to coal bed methane development.
“Methane gas are coming up from coal seams, then mixing with a little groundwater near the surface to form these mud pots.”
The pots are up to five feet across, and may pose a hazard to livestock and wildlife, as well as become a source of air pollution. One drilling company says it's investigating.
The BLM is considering allowing more coal bed methane wells to be drilled in the area, but Jones believes a "time out" is needed until the cause of the "mud pots" is identified because it might be related to development.
“Part of the problem might be abandoned wells were not capped or plugged properly. Those wells are serving as conduits to get that methane to the surface.”
The state Department of Environmental Quality has tested the wells to verify methane gas.
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