Update
Regional Emergency Operations Centre (REOC)
December 17th, 2004, 5:00 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

• Between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. December 17, there have been 3 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 two relief well locations. A rig is in place on the NW relief well, and drilling operations are expected to begin shortly. The SE relief well should be ready for drilling operations early next week.
• Acclaim has posted an Evacuees Update and diagrams of well control options at http://www.acclaimtrust.com/. Currently, 17 families remain evacuated.
•  Acclaim indicates it could take as long as two to three 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) and SO₂ levels are currently negligible in the area.

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.

Soil & Groundwater Testing Management Plan

• Acclaim has initiated a 3-step plan, developed in consultation with Alberta Environment. The company has tested all water wells within 1 km of the site; sampled containment pits and trenches at the site; sampled soil on the site; and has initiated a groundwater monitoring well program.
• 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 Bob Curran, EUB, 403.660.5553