An explosion at the Groh well pad in Guernsey County, Ohio, operated by Gulfport Energy, has reignited debates over the safety and environmental risks of oil and gas activities near public lands. The January 2 incident prompted an evacuation within a half-mile radius and resulted in a fire that burned for approximately 14 hours before being allowed to extinguish itself. While no injuries or environmental contamination were reported, the event has added fuel to ongoing concerns about the proximity of drilling operations to protected areas like Salt Fork State Park.
What caused the explosion?
Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is currently investigating the cause of the explosion. According to ODNR spokeswoman Karina Cheung, “Preliminary findings indicate that one containment tank was affected. All produced fluids have been safely removed. There was no release of fluids into the environment and the well pad remains shut down and inactive.” The incident has amplified scrutiny of Gulfport Energy, which has a history of violations and settlements related to its operations in Ohio. In 2020, the company paid $3.7 million to resolve environmental infractions, including $1.7 million in penalties and $2 million earmarked for emissions-reduction measures.
Are safety standards sufficient?
While industry advocates highlight a low rate of major incidents, critics argue that the reporting and classification systems underestimate the risks. Gwen Klenke from FracTracker identified over 1,900 oil and gas incidents in Ohio from 2015 to 2023, with nearly 160 categorized as explosions or fires. However, Klenke contends that many incidents are underreported or misclassified due to subjective criteria. “They were calling those moderate or minor explosions when those should really be considered major if they’re damaging property, they’re damaging folks’ health,” she noted. This gap in reporting raises concerns about the industry’s ability to ensure safety as drilling activities expand, particularly on state lands.
The Groh well pad explosion also underscores the debate surrounding a 2022 Ohio law permitting oil and gas exploration on state lands. While drilling pads are prohibited within park boundaries, environmental activists argue that increased exploration heightens the likelihood of accidents impacting public land. “These are accidents that have great potential to cause people serious breathing and respiratory illnesses from air emissions alone,” said Melinda Zemper of Save Ohio Parks.
Opponents of state land drilling point to Gulfport Energy’s track record as a warning. In 2013, the company was fined $250,000 for multiple leaks across seven well pads, and its recent fire incident further fuels arguments against expanding oil and gas leases. Gulfport Energy, which has secured leases in Belmont and Monroe Counties, has not responded to queries about the explosion.
Past investigations into Ohio’s oil and gas operations reveal a pattern of minor and moderate incidents, with few categorized as severe. However, critics argue that these designations fail to account for long-term environmental and health impacts. Additionally, the industry’s reliance on self-reporting underpins skepticism around the reliability of its safety claims. Environmental groups urge regulators to adopt stricter monitoring and transparency measures to protect public health and natural resources.
As Ohio continues to weigh economic benefits against environmental risks, incidents like the Groh well pad fire serve as critical reminders of the challenges involved in balancing industrial activities with public safety. Comprehensive risk assessments and more stringent regulatory oversight could help mitigate future hazards. Residents and advocacy groups remain vocal in their calls for accountability and sustainable practices in the state’s energy sector.
