Utica Gas Well Blow-out in Ohio River Valley Out of Control

Well Head Repair Failed in Monroe County; Repairs Could Take One More Week

From the Report by Rachael Dierkes, WTRF News 7, December 17, 2014, 9:49 AM

Monroe County Emergency Management released the following update:

“Today (Wednesday), access will return to the same schedule as earlier this week. Residents will be allowed limited access to their homes during daytime hours 7:00am – 6:00pm with the assistance of Sardis VFD.  The limitation also applies to air traffic. A NO FLY ZONE has been established for 5,000 feet and a 3 mile radius and will remain in effect throughout the operation. Accommodations for residents of the 30 homes evacuated continue to be provided. A Family Assistance Center will be set up at 10:30am this morning (Wednesday) at the Lee Township Building (formerly Sardis School) to allow a larger, more relaxed location for residents.”

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ORIGINAL STORY

This is an update from Monroe County on the situation with the gas well.  It was released late Tuesday night:” Today’s (Tuesday’s) operations at the Stalder 3UH location owned by Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Triad Hunter LLC outside of Sardis, Ohio confirmed that the first attempt at  returning the well to normal by repairing the existing night cap failed.

This method was initially chosen as it was the fastest way to return residents to their homes and bring the well under control.

Tomorrow, (Wednesday) Wild Well Control will take a different approach to their operations.  They will begin the process of replacing the well head, which is the most effective industry standard for well containment.  This operation will take substantially more time and is estimated to last for the next seven days.

As of tomorrow (Wednesday), access will return to the same schedule as earlier this week. Residents will be allowed limited access to their homes during daytime hours 7:00am – 6:00pm with the assistance of Sardis VFD.  The limitation also applies to air traffic.  A NO FLY ZONE has been established for 5,000 feet and a 3 mile radius and will remain in effect throughout the operation. Accommodations for residents of the 30 homes evacuated continue to be provided.

Representatives from both companies continue to meet daily with local and state partners including Sardis VFD, Monroe County Emergency Management, Ohio Emergency Management, Ohio EPA, and Ohio DNR Division of Oil and Gas to discuss ongoing efforts to secure the well site, maintain safety of responders and residents by continuous stationary and mobile air monitoring with zero gas detection outside the well pad site.  We continue to limit the public’s access to the immediate area and an additional buffer area up to a 1 ½ mile radius while actions are taken to restore the site to normal.

Every effort is being taken to monitor the environment and support and protect the lives and property of residents and responders.

See also:  www.FrackCheckWV.net

Tagged as: blowout, drilling, fracking, leak, methane, natural gas, no-fly-zone, out of control, residents evacuated, roads closed, Utica Shale, vent