Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall be
interpreted or defined as follows:
EXPLORATION
Temporary geologic or geophysical activities such as drilling
in context with the zoning definition in this chapter, including seismic
surveys related to the search for natural gas or other subsurface
hydrocarbons.
FLOWBACK
The process of flowing a completed/fractured well for the
purpose of recovering water and residual sand from the gas stream
prior to sending gas down a sales line.
FRACTURE or FRACKING
The process of injecting water, sand, customized fracking
fluid, steam or gas into a gas well under pressure to improve gas
recovery.
NATURAL GAS COMPRESSOR STATION
A facility designed and constructed to compress natural gas
that originates from an oil and gas well or collection of such wells
operating as a midstream facility for delivery of oil and gas to a
transmission pipeline, distribution pipeline, natural gas processing
plant or underground storage field, including one or more natural
gas compressors, associated buildings, pipes, valves, tanks and other
equipment.
NATURAL GAS PROCESSING PLANT
A facility designed and constructed to remove materials,
such as ethane, propane, butane and other constituents or similar
substances, from natural gas to allow such natural gas to be of such
quality as is required or appropriate for transmission or distribution
to commercial markets but not including facilities or equipment that
are/is designed and constructed primarily to remove water, water vapor,
oil or naturally occurring liquids from natural gas, including "dew"
point control facilities.
OIL AND GAS
Crude oil, natural gas, methane gas, coal bed methane gas,
propane, butane and/or any other constituents or similar substances
that are produced by drilling a well of any depth into, through and
below the surface of the earth.
OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT or DEVELOPMENT
The well site preparation, well site construction, drilling,
hydraulic fracturing, and/or site restoration associated with an oil
and gas well of any depth; water and other fluid storage, impoundment
and transportation used for such activities; the installation and
use of all associated equipment, including tanks, meters and other
equipment and structures, whether permanent or temporary; and the
site preparation, construction, installation, maintenance and repair
of oil and gas pipelines and associated equipment and other equipment
and activities associated with the exploration for, production and
transportation of oil and gas, other than natural gas compressor stations
and natural gas processing plants or facilities performing the equivalent
functions that operate as midstream facilities. Natural gas compressor
stations and natural gas processing plants or facilities performing
the equivalent functions that operate as midstream facilities are
only authorized consistent with the Township of Cecil subdivision
and land development and zoning ordinances.
OPERATOR
Any person, partnership, company, corporation, and its subcontractors
and agents, which has an interest in real estate for the purpose of
exploring or drilling for, producing or transporting oil or gas.
PIPELINE
All parts of those physical facilities through which gas,
hazardous liquids, fresh water, salt water or chemicals move in transportation,
including but not limited to pipe, valves and other appurtenance attached
to pipe, whether or not laid in public or private easement or public
or private right-of-way within the Township, including, but not limited
to, gathering lines, production lines and transmission lines. This
definition does not include pipelines associated with franchise utilities.
PROTECTED STRUCTURE
Any occupied residence, commercial business, school, religious
institution or other public building located within 1,500 feet of
the surface location of a well that may be impacted by noise, emissions,
light or other negative attributes of drilling operations, including
but not limited to oil and gas development activities as defined herein,
generated from drilling or hydraulic fracturing activity at a well
site.
RESIDUAL WASTE
Garbage, refuse, other discarded material or other waste,
including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous materials,
resulting from industrial, mining, drilling or agricultural operations
and sludge from an industrial, mining or agricultural water supply
treatment facility, wastewater treatment facility or air pollution
control facility, if it is not hazardous.
TOWNSHIP
Cecil Township, Washington County, Pennsylvania.
WATER IMPOUNDMENT, FRESH
A lined depression, excavation, pit or facility situated
in or upon the ground, whether natural or artificial, used to store
fresh water.
WATER IMPOUNDMENT, WASTE
A lined depression, excavation, pit or facility situated
in or upon the ground, whether natural or artificial, used to store
wastewater, including but not limited to brine, fracturing fluid or
residual waste.
WELL SITE
A graded pad designed and constructed for the drilling of
one or more oil and gas wells.