Environment
Q. What studies have Celtique done to take into account its impacts on the local environment?
A. The long-term protection of the environment, both above and below ground, is of the utmost importance to Celtique and we are committed to minimising the impact of our operations. Before selecting a site for detailed applications, Celtique evaluates the potential impact on the environment by performing studies on various issues that could be of concern, such as specific animal or plant species, water supply, traffic, noise, community impact, and archaeological monuments, etc.
Q. What about spillages?
A. We put an impermeable membrane in place over the well site area to ensure that in the unlikely event of there being any liquid spills at the surface, that these are prevented from coming into contact with the ground and any aquifer. Furthermore, in the highly unlikely event that any other unforeseen spills occur, ‘spill kits’ will also be available on site.
Q. Is it true that there is a risk of groundwater contamination?
A. The vast majority of exploration and development drilling operations around the world penetrate freshwater aquifers on the way to the hydrocarbon reservoirs. The best practice well designs that we always employ ensure that all freshwater aquifers are isolated behind one, if not two, strings of steel casing, cemented in place before any hydrocarbons are encountered in the well.
In addition, we protect the groundwater from above by laying an impermeable membrane beneath the crushed stone layer that forms the well site. This prevents any unlikely spillage from the surface from penetrating the ground and reaching any aquifers that may be present.