Methane detected near shuttered Porter Ranch gas well



PORTER RANCH >> Methane was detected Saturday seeping out of the soil near the plugged natural gas well at Aliso Canyon responsible for the largest natural gas leak in the nation, Southern California Gas officials reported.

At 7:45 a.m., SoCalGas inspectors working with infrared cameras detected “a very slight and intermittent observation of methane” at the SS-25 well at its Aliso Canyon Storage Facility north of Porter Ranch, according to the company.

“We believe this is a continuation of off-gassing from the soil that has previously been observed at other locations at the site,” SoCalGas said in a report to the California Office of Emergency Services. “This recent off-gassing of the soil coincides with the recent intense rain events at the site and is not believed to pose a present or potential hazard to human health, safety or the environment.”

The SS-25 well spewed roughly 100,000 metric tons of methane into the air from October until it was plugged in February, forcing the relocation of two schools and the evacuation of more than 8,000 homes. Thousands more complained of getting sick from the noxious fumes.

The gas company said Saturday’s leak was confirmed through a mid-morning inspection and that the well was being monitored throughout the day. It did not say how much gas had escaped.

It said no other leaks were found, either by a fence line monitoring system or visual inspections, and there is no discernible gas odor at the site.

The state’s Division of Oil Gas and Geothermal Resources has not yet released its analysis on the cause of the four-month gas leak, which spawned numerous lawsuits and regulations.

It’s now reviewing a request by SoCalGas to renew natural gas injections at its 3,600-acre underground gas field at Aliso Canyon.

While neighbors and environmental activists call for shutting down the natural gas storage facility next to upscale San Fernando Valley homes, the utility says it’s vital for maintaining energy reliability across Los Angeles.

On this topic: ( from category )

    Leave feedback

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    *
    *

    three × four =

    Top