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August 3, 2005Environmental regulators slate 'twin wells' hearing for AugustByRecord-Eagle staff writer GAYLORD - State environmental regulators scheduled a hearing for late August on a contested twin well proposal for two northern Michigan counties. The Michigan Oil and Gas Association filed a petition to allow a second natural gas well within the required 80-acre spacing in both Otsego and Montmorency counties. The group represents oil and gas companies across the state, said board member Ray Barnhart of Dominion Exploration and Production of Traverse City. Companies want to install a "twin well" between 25 and 200 feet away from existing natural gas wells. The second well would collect gas from the top layers of the Antrim Shale formation, while old wells would continue to collect from the bottom layers. The oil and gas agency contends that adding twin wells will create a shorter production period and reduce the time of environmental exposure and surface use of facilities. Dozens of objectors to the proposal attended a state Department of Environmental Quality meeting last month in Gaylord. Concerns included the integrity of existing pipelines and the ability to handle increased production, increased air and water pollution and resulting human health problems. Harold R. Fitch, director of the DEQ Office of Geological Survey, attended the meeting and said the proposal would be a pilot program that, if successful, could be expanded to other parts of the state. He said if the MOGA petition is approved, the DEQ would consider twin wells on a case-by-case basis. Fitch will preside over the contested case hearing scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Best Western Alpine Lodge, 833 W. Main in Gaylord. For more information about how to file a response, call (517) 241-1552. See Related Stories: Twin natural gas wells proposed in Otsego, Montmorency Counties - July 19, 2005 Oil & gas agency seeks to lift restrictions on 'twin wells' - June 28, 2005
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