Update   [#19]
Regional Emergency Operations Centre (REOC)
December 24th, 2004, 3:00 p.m.
Acheson Well Control Incident West of Edmonton

This update is intended to provide you with the latest information about the above incident from the REOC Centre located at the Alberta Energy Utilities Board (EUB) St. Albert Field Centre. The Acclaim Energy Trust well control incident is located west of the City of Edmonton.

Public Complaints/Enquiries

• The EUB and Acclaim issued Press Releases yesterday indicating that the flow of gas from the well appears to be declining and the flow may subside or cease within the next several days.
• There have been no public complaints received from 4:00 p.m. December 23, 2004 to 3:00 p.m. December 24, 2004.
• Area residents who have any health-related questions are being encouraged to call the Capital Health Link (24 hours) at 780-408-5465.

Well Control

• Acclaim is pursuing multiple options with respect to well control. The flow of gas is still burning although it would appear to be at a somewhat diminished rate.
• Drilling operations on both relief wells are ongoing. At 11 am this morning the Champion #5 rig was drilling at about 725m. The Precision #120 rig has set surface casing and is drilling out the casing shoe.
• In an effort to reduce pressure on the formation, a well close to the 2-26 well site (7-26-52-26W4M) is being prepared to produce from the same zone as 2-26. Production will go to the Acheson gas plant. There may be some associated flaring in bringing this well into production.
• A temporary 80 metre long surface pipeline has been approved by the EUB. This line runs from the well head to a pipeline header on the edge of the lease site.
• The cement squeeze on the D2 perforations failed and Acclaim is now proceeding with a casing patch.
• Acclaim has posted several news releases and technical diagrams; and provided relevant resources at http://www.acclaimtrust.com/.
• Acclaim has moved the roadblock locations closer to the 2-26 well site and 2 families have returned home.  Currently, 8 families are still mandatorily evacuated. Several other homes remain evacuated, but voluntarily. Acclaim continues to accommodate all evacuees.
• Acclaim indicates it could take as long as two to three weeks to bring the well fully under control.

Air Monitoring

• There are currently 9 stationary and 3 mobile for a total of 12 ambient air quality monitors.
• The plume from the site is primarily water vapor, although there are small amounts of hydrocarbons in the flow being burned 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.

Produced Fluid Storage/Disposal

• The well is producing salt water and some hydrocarbons which are being directed to earthen pits at the site.
• The fluid is being recovered and trucked to suitable disposal sites.
• The EUB has approved temporary storage of produced water and solids at an existing site constructed with an engineered compacted clay liner at 4-2-53-26W4M
• Acclaim has received approval to use the 3-26 well for water disposal.
  

Soil & Groundwater Testing Management Plan

• Acclaim has initiated a 3-step plan, developed in consultation with Alberta Environment. Testing of all water wells within 2 km of the site has been completed. Testing of containment pits, trenches, and soil on the site is ongoing. Acclaim will be initiating a groundwater monitoring well program. The company also plans to test outside this zone if requested.
• The 3 groundwater wells have now been drilled (completed the 3rd on Dec 23, 2004). Preliminary test results indicate groundwater in the area has not been affected.

The REOC was opened on Monday December 13, 2004 and will continue to be operational until the conclusion of the well control incident.

REOC Representatives

Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) Acclaim Energy Trust

Alberta Environment Capital Health Authority

REOC Telephone Number 780.460.3800

Media Enquiries Greg Gilbertson, EUB, 403.651.9880