News Release 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WELL CONTROL EFFORTS AT ACCLAIM SITE TO CONTINUE THROUGH HOLIDAYS

St. Albert, Alberta (December 20, 2004) The Alberta government's Regional Emergency Operations Centre, led by the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB), continues to work with Acclaim Energy Trust, Alberta Environment, government agencies, and well-control specialists to control the blowout on an Acclaim well west of Edmonton in the County of Parkland. The EUB expects that well-control efforts will continue for the next two to three weeks.

Over this period, the flow of gas from the well will be kept ignited, which creates a safer work environment for the crews working at the site, and eliminates any odours associated with the small amount of sour gas contained in the flow that may be detectable by nearby residents.

Monitoring for hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) and sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions will be continuous throughout the duration of the blowout. There are currently eight stationary and four mobile air monitoring units in the area.

The visible plume emanating from the site is primarily water vapour, although there are small amounts of hydrocarbons being released that may sometimes emit a slight detectable odour in the area. Mobile monitors continue to track the plume and have recorded negligible readings of H₂S and SO₂. Air quality specialists from Capital Health and Alberta Environment believe that there is currently negligible risk to public health or safety due to emissions from the well site.

In response to the blowout, the EUB has established an offsite emergency operations centre at its St. Albert Field Centre. Members of the public may call the St. Albert Field Centre at (780) 460-3800 for incident information. Area residents who have any health-related questions are being encouraged to call the Capital Health Link (24 hours) at 780-408-5465. The EUB is also posting updates to its website on an ongoing basis that detail aspects of the well-control operation, at www.ercb.ca.

All of the authorities at the operations centre are ensuring all necessary steps are being taken to safeguard public safety. Once the well is under control, the EUB will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, and publicize its findings and recommendations.

The EUB ensures that the discovery, development, and delivery of Alberta's resources and utilities services take place in a manner that is fair, responsible, and in the public interest.

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For more information, please contact:

Bob Curran EUB Communications Cell: 403.660.5553

Greg Gilbertson: EUB Communications Cell: 403.651.9880

NR2004-33