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Permalink Reply by 0i7okn54zwbdo on February 23, 2013 at 6:41pm

Call the fire department and notify them that there's a potentially flammable gas and/or liquid leaking.  Then call the ODNR state inspector.  If you're in PA then call DEP.  Get someone on site who has the power to compel the company to act.

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Permalink Reply by thelma cathleen hays on February 24, 2013 at 4:56am

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Permalink Reply by paleface on February 24, 2013 at 5:58am

 Idon't think that is a internal leak from the pipe you would see oil all over the surface it looks like a shallow methane pocket that is following the pipe to the surface.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Powers on February 24, 2013 at 8:14am

Mike -

I had many long days, night, and weeks that began with news of a gas leak like this. My first plan would be to get the site secured and to have a gas tri-meter used to measure the lower explosion limit (LEL) values to determine the safest radius in which to work around the well.

The leak could have multiple origins: it could be a near surface leak involving the wellhead and casing or tubing hangers, it could be a cement channel, a near surface casing connection or bleed valve leak, or combinations thereof. If a wellhead or hanger issue, it may be as simple as digging out around the wellhead and re-energizing the hanger seals, which are usually elastomeric (low pressure) or metal (higher pressure rated) seals that land in a machined profile. On one project that I worked on, we tightened the tie-down pins that drove the mandrel hanger deeper into the profile and cured the leak.

 

If it is something downhole, the well may have to be killed with dense fluid, the tree and tubing pulled in order to determine the leak and help inform the best method to restore integrity.

The team responding to this incident cannot use any open flames or spark potential tools like steel hammers, wrenches, etc.

Some innovative chemical compounds exist to cure leaks along threaded surfaces, such as in a bleed valve, so long as access can be made downstream of the leak.

 

I would contact the company whose name is on the unit sign on location or the pumper who services wells in that area.

 

In the interest of all who access this website to learn about drilling and well operations, a future update on this problem would be appreciated.

 

Brian

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Permalink Reply by Will Fleckenstein on February 24, 2013 at 8:34am

That is an unusual looking wellhead, normally there is a cellar dug around the wellhead the wellhead so that there is easy access.  How old is this well?  It looks like it was a fairly "poor-boy" operation.  What you need to do is get an inspector from the state there, and he should do two things: use a gas detector to look for hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and also get a sample of the water and determine if it is fresh water or salty.  Looks like a bad cement job on the surface casing, or a leaking casing hanger - not good practice when the casing head is not easy to get to. 

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