WEST UNION, W.Va. (AP) - Regulators say four Antero Resources natural gas wells in Doddridge County have been ordered to remain idle while investigators examine a recent fire, state regulators said.
There were no injuries from the early Thursday fire, and no material appears to have spilled outside the containment area, Department of Environmental Protection spokeswoman Kelly Gillenwater told The Exponent Telegram. The site is located near West Union, about 75 miles south of Wheeling.
Al Schopp, Antero's chief administrative officer and regional senior vice president, said the company reported the fire to state regulators and voluntarily shut down the wells prior to the cease-operation order being issued.
He said the fire occurred after gas escaped at a production site where gas, oil and water are separated upon coming out of the wells. Damage to the equipment was minimal, Schopp said.
"We're cooperating fully with the DEP on the investigation to be able to assure future prevention of the same type of event," Schopp said.
Antero said in a news release that the cause of the fire is still unknown.
Investigators are still evaluating whether any citations will be necessary, Gillenwater said.