GLEN EASTON - In response to some residents' concerns, Chesapeake Energy officials are working to stabilize the soil slips at the Ray Baker well pad in southern Marshall County.
"We have been diligently engaged with the (West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection) and geotechnical firms to reinforce and remediate the site," said Chesapeake Director of Corporate Development Stacey Brodak.
Geotechnical firms are those who specialize in evaluating the properties and characteristics of the soils and rocks inside the earth.
Some residents alerted the media of the problem, calling it a "well pad site collapse." Brodak said these soil slips do not constitute such a complete failure of the site.
Brodak said two additional slips on the hillside adjacent to the drilling pad compounded the problem, as these slips took place after "a week of rain."
"There was one residential property affected by one of the slips when mud and debris were washed into the yard," Brodak said.
Chesapeake workers would like to keep Valley Run Road below the slip closed until the area is stabilized to help ensure public safety. Brodak said officials with the West Virginia Division of Highways have been cooperative with the company regarding this plan.
"We have flagmen stationed at the road around the clock," Brodak added.
As Chesapeake works to remedy the situation at the Baker pad, the company also recently spent $60 million to $70 million dollars to repair a series of roads in West Virginia's Northern Panhandle. The company resurfaced the following roads in each county:
Ohio County - Dallas Pike Road, Atkinson Crossing, GC&P Road, Middle Wheeling Creek Road, Short Long Run, Stone Church Road, Oklahoma Road, Gashell Run.
Brooke County - State Route 88, Brady's Ridge, Locust Grove, Camp Run, Rabbit Hill, state Route 67 (Bethany Pike), Apple Pie Ridge.
Marshall County - Walnut Grove, Greenfield Ridge, state Route 89, Fork Ridge.
Wetzel County - Macedonia Road, St. Joseph Road, state Route 89 and Brock Ridge.
