Relief Well

Efforts to drill the relief well are progressing. Crews are actively working on Phase 3 of a 5 phase process. This potentially time consuming phase is critical to the overall success, and encompasses positively identifying the leaking well with active magnetic ranging technology. Once identified, the relief well will follow the leaking well to more than 8,000 feet deep and intercept it near its bottom. Once we intercept the well, we will pump heavy mud and fluids into the leaking well to stop the flow of gas from the reservoir and into the well. Once the flow of gas has been stopped, we will pump cement into the bottom of the well to permanently seal it. The drilling process continues around the clock, and is expected to be completed by late February to late March.

As of midnight, December 27th 2015, we have successfully located the leaking or target well using the active magnetic ranging tool and are preparing to resume drilling.  We have currently drilled approximately 3,800 feet of measured depth.  From this point on, we will be interchanging drilling and ranging equipment as needed to increase the precision of the relief well in relation to the target well’s location and to follow it down at the appropriate distance, angle and orientation.

We are also initiating a secondary relief well as backup to our ongoing drilling of the primary relief well. Grading of the drilling pad for the secondary well should be complete in early January.  At that point a drilling rig will be moved in and set up.  Drilling is slated to begin in late January.

Air Samples & The Environment

The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has completed an assessment of six weeks of air samples taken from areas around the Aliso Canyon storage facility, and their results state that “available Porter Ranch neighborhood air sample data does not indicate that an acute toxicity health hazard exists in the Porter Ranch neighborhood as a result of the Aliso Canyon natural gas leak”.  For details from OEHHA, please click here.

We have added experts from multiple, highly experienced companies to help us in evaluating solutions to recapture natural gas escaping from the well site.  These solutions will assist in minimizing the impact of leaking gas as well as provide the benefit of helping to heat and power local residences and businesses.

A team of our environmental specialists and retained experts will continue conducting daily air sampling and monitoring at several representative sites both within the leak site and the community. Although experts agree that natural gas is not toxic and that the levels of the odorant in the natural gas are too low to be a long-term health concern, we are continuing to conduct this sampling to provide the community with more information. The samples we are taking are in addition to those being taken  by South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD).  Click here for our Air Sample Updates.

Background

On October 23, SoCalGas crews discovered a leak at one of the natural gas storage wells at its Aliso Canyon storage field. In response, we activated the appropriate procedures to begin to address the leak.

We regret that the smell of the odorant in natural gas is unpleasant and that some people are sensitive to the odor, and we sincerely apologize for the annoyance and concern this odor is causing the neighboring communities. However, the leak does not pose an imminent threat to public safety. The well is located in an isolated, mountain area more than a mile away from and more than 1,200 feet higher than the closest home or public area. Scientists agree natural gas is not toxic and that its odorant is harmless at the minute levels at which it is added to natural gas. In outdoor locations such as this, natural gas quickly dissipates into the air, greatly reducing the possibility for ignition and further diluting the gas as it reaches the public. The human nose is amazingly sensitive and can detect the smell of the odorant at levels much lower than any level of concern.

We have assembled a world-class team of experts, and we are working as quickly as safety will allow to stop the leak. In addition, we are in regular communication with L.A. City and County Fire and Hazmat Departments, the L.A. County Department of Health, the California Division of Oil, Gas & Geothermal Resources, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

We apologize for how this incident may be affecting you, and we appreciate the community's ongoing patience as we work as quickly and safely as possible to resolve this situation. If you believe you have suffered harm or injury as a result of this incident, please complete this online form or call 213-244-5151. For temporary housing accommodations, call us at 404-497-6808.