So when a citizen reporter stopped by the other day to take a few pics of the construction - we learn what those gas field workers really do. Which raises many questions.... like the quality of work that goes into those compressor stations, and the quality of workers that man the stations.
You see, in the past 14 months four separate Williams Compressor stations have gone "boom":
March 29, 2012 - Lathrop Compressor in Springville, Susquehanna County, PA
July 23, 2012 - Windsor Compressor Station, Broome County, NY
May 15, 2013 - Williams Central Station, Brooklyn, Susquehanna County, PA
and most recently, May 30, 2013 in Branchburg, Somerset County NJ
Admittedly, lightening strikes are accidental, but the explosion at the Lathrop Compressor was found to be caused by human error. Given the display of professionalism by the gas field boys the other day, is it any wonder that Williams is having problems with their stations?
Meanwhile, the photo of the cheeky guy on the job has gone viral, making him - and gas field workers everywhere - the butt of jokes. Will he still be on the job come Monday morning? Grab your camera and see for yourself - the work site is only a 10-minute drive from Hallstead.
The lightning is an act of nature, but it would not have caused a problem if the compressor station had not been venting methane at the time. We keep getting told by the industry that they contain their methane emissions well, but the evidence seems to say otherwise.
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