Update #36
Regional Emergency Operations Centre (REOC)
January 10, 2005, 3:00 p.m.
Acheson Well Control Incident West of Edmonton

Public Complaints/Enquiries

• Acclaim issued a news release on Friday, January 7 indicating an expected interception with the casing on Sunday, January 9 and followed by the initiation of well control efforts.
• No public complaints have been received by the REOC between 3:00 pm January 9, 2005, and 3:00 pm January 10, 2005.
• 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

• Champion #5 penetrated the 2-26 well casing and successfully stopped the flow from the well and extinguishing the flame. Operations to secure the well are ongoing.
• The ground around Acclaim (102) 2-26 well has eroded.  The D2 perforations have been successfully abandoned
• Precision #120 is at 1262 m and waiting, circulating on bottom.
• In an effort to reduce pressure on the formation, a well close to the 2-26 well site (7-26-52-26W4M) was put on production at a rate of  about 150x10³ m³ per day. Production was going to the Acheson gas plant but has been suspended due to a suspected hydrate / asphaltine plug in the flowline.
• Three ignition sources are in place to maintain the burning of the gas: Firefly unit, pistol flares, and a continuous propane pilot.
• Acclaim has posted several news releases and technical diagrams; and provided relevant resources at 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.

Air Monitoring

• During the milling and well control operations there have been 8 stationary (Acclaim) and 5 mobile (2 Acclaim, 2 EUB, and 1 AENV) for a total of 13 ambient air quality monitors in operation.
• Following penetration of the 2-26 well and prior to extinguishing the fire, there was some black smoke generated by the fire. Mobile monitors have recorded negligible readings of H₂S and SO_2.

Produced Fluid Storage/Disposal

• Soil piles at 2-26 have been sampled to determine the level of contamination and to develop appropriate disposal / treatment as necessary.
• Acclaim will continue fluid management during well control operations.
• The EUB has approved temporary storage of produced water and solids at an existing site constructed with an engineered compacted clay liner.
• The EUB has approved temporary disposal of water at the 1-35-52-26W4M well.
• Acclaim has received approval to use the 3-26 well for water disposal.
  

Soil & Groundwater Testing Management Plan

• All water wells within a 2 km radius have been sampled (December 23, 2004). 
• Acclaim has initiated a groundwater monitoring well program. Preliminary test results from the 3 monitoring wells indicates groundwater in the area has not been affected.
• Acclaim indicates preliminary results from 5 water wells within 1 km show no impact to resident water wells.
• Sample analyses of water from the area has been forwarded to Capital Health, Alberta Environment and Health Canada for review. Results will be publicly available when complete.

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                          Darin Barter, 403.651.9487