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News Release     

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

ERCB INVESTIGATING GAS RELEASE NEAR LODGEPOLE

Calgary, Alberta (December 16, 2009) The Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) is investigating a gas release at a sour crude wellsite located approximately 4 km southwest of Lodgepole, Alberta. There have been no evacuations or injuries resulting from the incident. Trace amounts of hydrogen sulphide (sour gas) have been detected adjacent to the wellsite.

The ERCB was notified Wednesday morning that an oil well operated by Daylight Energy Ltd. was leaking gas. The company also notified parties in the vicinity of the well. There are no residents within the well’s 570-metre emergency planning zone.

The ERCB immediately dispatched field personnel and its mobile air monitoring unit to the site. The company also immediately dispatched mobile air monitoring units to check for off-lease readings.

The company established roadblocks on a local road close to Highway 620 when the incident occurred.

The ERCB has field staff onsite and are working with the company to regain control of the leaking well as soon as possible. The ERCB has also contacted the local emergency co-op, Brazeau County emergency services, and the RCMP.

As is normal practice, the ERCB will conduct an investigation into the incident.

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For more information, please contact:

Bob Curran
ERCB Communications
Phone: 403-297-3392

NR 2009-32