GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—An energy company says a training program on the dangers of hydrogen sulfide has increased statewide awareness about the potential hazards related to oil and gas development for workers on drilling rigs.
Noble Energy agreed to spend $50,000 on the awareness effort as part of a settlement with regulators after hydrogen sulfide was found in a majority of its Piceance Basin natural gas wells in Garfield and Mesa counties, part of a settlement with regulators.
Hydrogen sulfide is a gas that can cause serious health effects and can even be deadly. Noble said proper worker safety measures were in place and the gas was contained to enclosed systems.
Hydrogen sulfide was found in wells it acquired in Weld County, and wells on the Western Slope.
The issue first came to light when a former employee for a Noble contractor said he became ill from the substance while working at a Garfield County site in 2009. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the contractor for violations, including not providing respiratory protection, and fined it $2,000.
The settlement with the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission arose from allegations that Noble didn’t follow requirements for reporting the encounters with hydrogen sulfide to authorities. However, the commission also acknowledged that those requirements needed to be clarified, something it subsequently did, the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reported Monday ( ).
Michael Wozniak, an attorney representing Noble, told the oil and gas commission that the company has conducted eight awareness programs around the state, including in Rifle and Durango. The target audiences included emergency responders who might not be familiar with hydrogen sulfide. Other energy companies also were invited.
The sessions focused on how to monitor for hydrogen sulfide and provide treatment in cases of exposure.
Hydrogen sulfide is not normally present in oil and gas in Colorado, but can be inadvertently introduced during operations such as well completions.
Oil and Gas Commissioner Rich Alward of Grand Junction, an ecologist who does consulting work involving the industry, said he thinks the awareness effort is paying off. He said that after 10 years of doing such work, he recently was required for the first time to wear a device that monitors hydrogen sulfide on the job.
“I feel that operators are already much more aware of this risk,” he said.
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Information from: The Daily Sentinel,
