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News Release 2003-05-20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WELL BLOWOUT BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL IN RETLAW GAS FIELD WEST OF VAUXHALL
Calgary, Alberta (May 20, 2003) At approximately 12:50 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2003 an Anadarko Canada Corporation well servicing operation began experiencing well control problems at a sour gas well location (16-1-13-18W4) in the Retlaw natural gas field approximately 16 kilometres west of Vauxhall, Alberta.
Well control was regained at 9:40 p.m. on Monday, May 19, 2003 after well control specialists pumped drilling mud into the well bore and set new down hole well control equipment in place.
Well control was lost during a servicing operation to replace the master valve on the well and sour natural gas with a hydrogen sulphide (H2S) content of approximately 0.013 per cent began flowing to atmosphere. Anadarko informed the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) and activated its emergency response plan. Alberta Environment, RCMP, Alberta Disaster Services and the MD of Taber were also notified. There were no injuries.
EUB staff were dispatched to the site Friday afternoon, and were actively involved in the incident until well control was regained. RCMP were advised when the incident occurred, and a several kilometre area was secured around the well site.
Mobile and stationary ambient air monitoring devices were active throughout the incident to ensure public safety, monitoring air quality both on site and downwind, including in the town of Vauxhall. The Vauxhall Town Administrator and Fire Chief were contacted, and the MD of Taber and Vauxhall Fire Department assisted in manning road blocks that secured the area around the well.
The EUB, as the lead emergency response agency, coordinates any necessary government response to support public safety during petroleum industry emergency incidents.
The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board ensures that the discovery, development, and delivery of Alberta's resources and utilities take place in a manner that is fair, responsible, and in the public interest.
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This news release is also available on the EUB Web site at www.ercb.ca
For further information please contact:
Greg Gilbertson, Section Leader, EUB Communications
Tel: (403) 297-3648
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