Hythe gas well blow-out under control

Friday, March 12, 2010

The Energy Resources Conservation Board is reporting that specialists have regained control of a natural gas well that blew-out near Hythe Alberta.

The gas well, licensed to Canadian Natural Resources Limited, had been on fire since February 24th, and was finally controlled at 3:45 on Friday morning.

The ERCB says during the time that the well was on fire, there was no threat to public health, safety, or the environment at any time. The ERCB says there were no off-lease emissions of hydrogen sulphide or sulphur dioxide detected.

Leading up to Friday, well control specialists cleared the site, installed new blowout preventers, and pumped drilling mud down the hole. This eventually stemmed the flow of gas to the surface.

Cement is currently being pumped down the wellbore to ensure the flow cannot continue.

The ERCB says there is a small chance that the flow could leak again, so field inspectors will continue to monitor the site, and air monitoring will continue in the area until Saturday.

The ERCB is investigating this incident and will issue a public report with its findings following the conclusion of its investigation.