Update
Regional Emergency Operations Centre (REOC)
December 17th, 2004, 6:00 a.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

• Between 10:00 p.m. December 16, and 6:00 a.m. December 17, 2004, there have been no public complaints/enquiries received at the REOC.
• 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.
• Acclaim is preparing the site for 2 possible relief well locations. The SE relief well should be ready for drilling operations early next week. The NE relief well should be ready for drilling operations on December 17, 2004
• Acclaim has posted an Evacuees Update and diagrams of well control options. www.acclaimtrust.com.
• Acclaim indicates it could take as long as 2 weeks to bring the well fully under control.

Air Monitoring

• There are currently 8 stationary and 5 mobile for a total of 13 ambient air quality monitors.
• Ambient H₂S (sour gas) levels have been detected in the range of 0-0.003ppm (parts per million) from 10:00 p.m. December 16 to 6:00 a.m. December 17, 2004.
• Ambient SO₂ levels have been detected in the range of 0-0.003ppm during the same period.

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, approved disposal sites.

Soil & Groundwater Testing Management Plan

• A soil and groundwater specialist is reviewing the storage of these liquids for Acclaim.
• Acclaim is initiating a 3 step plan, also posted on their website. This plan will test all water wells within 1km of the site; sample containment pits and trenches at the site; sample soil on the site; and a groundwater monitoring well program will be conducted.

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

REOC Telephone Number 1.780.460.3800

Media Enquiries Bob Curran, EUB, 403.660.5553 Darin Barter, EUB, 403.651.9487