Noise pollution from oil and gas drilling and production is an important issue for many landowners living in close proximity to these developments.
Landowners often complain about noise levels produced by natural gas compressors. The noise level varies with the size of the compressor and distance from the compressor; and it changes with shifts in wind direction and intensity. Depending on wind speed and direction, the constant roaring sounds of a gas compressor can be heard three to four miles from an oil drilling site.
Noise from oil and gas development comes from a number of sources: truck traffic, drilling and completion activities, well pumps and compressors. For some landowners, noise from oil and gas operations is so loud that it makes them feel as if they are living in an industrial zone. For people who live in rural areas, the arrival of a new, industrial noise source can greatly disturb the natural environmental sounds they are accustomed to.
An acceptable noise abatement solution is necessary to protect the area residents from unwanted noise pollution. Typically a Sound Barrier Wall would be installed to eliminate industrial sound. This is not a viable solution to oil and gas drilling however, due to its constant changing of locations.
There are new mobile absorptive sound wall units which are easy to assemble, disassemble and move. Since oil and gas drilling are temporary projects, moving from one well to another, a portable sound wall can be used to eliminate the unwanted noise during the drilling and moved from one site to the next with little effort.
With the inclusion of a mobile sound wall in oil and gas drilling activities near residential areas, residents will be able to enjoy their peaceful quite neighborhood throughout the completion of the project.