Jan 15, 2016 By For The Greene County Messenger 1 min read

WAYNESBURG — Consol Energy Inc. last weekend flared a Utica Shale test well in Rogersville.

The flaring was necessary, the company said in a release, because completions operations concluded and flowback began on the well.

Prior to the flaring, a company spokesman said, “As pipeline capacity exists for only a portion of the gas anticipated to be extracted from the well during initial production, flaring will be necessary. The process will be directed by Consol Energy operations professionals and contractors in a safe and responsible manner.”

Flaring is a normal, safe and sometimes necessary part of the production process, the spokesman continued.

Consol said a comprehensive plan was developed in close coordination with all local officials, first responders and appropriate state and federal agencies to review the standard protocols of the flaring process. Residents in the immediate area had been notified of this activity.

Due to the well’s hilltop location in Rogersville, the flare was expected to be visible from several miles away.

Consol said the flare stack for this project is approximately 175 feet in height with the flare itself expected to extend another nearly 200 feet.