GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—Garfield County commissioners are moving to complete a study that the county’s former oil and gas liaison says found a possible link between natural gas development and methane in shallow groundwater south of Silt.
The Daily Sentinel reports ( ) commissioners agreed Monday to a contract with GeoTrans Inc. to complete the study.
An earlier phase of the study led geological consultant Geoffrey Thyne to conclude methane levels were increasing in domestic water wells in the area, apparently as a result of gas development. The industry has challenged Thyne’s conclusions.
The third phase involved drilling six groundwater monitoring wells. Former county oil and gas liaison Judy Jordan, whom the county terminated, says methane and methane compounds turned up in all six. New liaison Kirby Wynn says more data is needed.
———
Information from: The Daily Sentinel,
