Map Showing Threat of Harmful Gas Exposure in Eagle Ford
Marathon Oil admits to air quality violations in the Eagle Ford.
Related: Oil & Gas ‘Threat Map’ Pinpoints Millions at Risk in Texas
Marathon Oil will pay $7320 after failing to conduct performance tests and for exceeding the natural gas production rates by 5.43 million standard cubic feet per day at the company’s Live Oak facility.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued a fine of $11,000 originally, but was reduced based on Marathon’s compliance history and for good faith since the company self-reported the incidents. After paying $3,000 in fines, the company will make a donation to a tire cleanup program through the Texas Association of Resource Conservation and Development Areas.
“Marathon Oil is committed to safety and environmental stewardship. Updated and streamlined procedures, checks and balances have been implemented since these self-reported items were identified.”
Earlier this month, environmental groups released a “threat map’ that showed Eagle Ford counties are at the highest risk for exposure to dangerous gas and air pollution of any area in the state. The map of Texas details the 398,787 active oil and natural gas wells currently in use in the state with over 2.3 million people within the 1/2 mile radius of risk. The map highlights counties in the Eagle Ford as having the highest risk of exposure to methane and carcinogens including DeWitt, Karnes, McMullen, Frio and Zavala Counties.