Chesapeake Fined For Arkansas Drilling Fluids Spill

Associated Press

ROSE BUD, Ark. -- The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality has fined Chesapeake Energy Corp. after well drilling fluids were spilled.

The ADEQ issued the consent administrative order on June 6, fining the Oklahoma City-based independent natural gas producer $8,400 for the Sept. 8 incident.

According to the department's Web site, "an unpermitted discharge of drilling fluids to waters of the state" occurred. The agency says oil field waste was discharged into an unnamed tributary of Bad Luck Creek.

The ADEQ says there was evidence a layer of drilling mud had been deposited in the tributary and that agency representatives were not allowed to inspect the site when they arrived at the drilling pad.

Danny Games, Chesapeake's director of corporate development, says the salt water disposal well in question was built to meet or exceed ADEQ requirements.