After securing the site, monitoring air quality, and verifying all affected residents were notified; the commission says they went on to connect a flare stack to the well, which allowed any gas flow to burn through.
The OGC says any risk of a sour gas leak was officially diminished by Saturday evening; however personnel continue to monitor the situation.
“OGC personnel remained on site throughout the night (Thursday and Friday), and Saturday went door-to-door visiting neighbours to address any concerns they may have had around air quality and clean-up operations,” Manager of the OGC, Alan Clay writes in an emailed response.
The OGC also says while investigating, they opened the Fort St. John Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate activities with Terra Energy and ensured the company was meeting its emergency response obligations.
The company also gave area residents the option of staying in a hotel until the situation is resolved.
Terra Energy is a small to medium-sized oil and gas company with well sites around the Fort St. John and Dawson Creek area.
The well belonging to Terra Energy was suspended in 2011.
The commission continue to investigate the incident.
OGC’s Communications Department in Fort St. John can be reached at 250-794-5200.
