The Katana 06-12 well, a historic natural gas well near Diamond Valley, Alberta, has never produced oil or gas but has continuously leaked methane. The Orphan Well Association is conducting a decommissioning process, employing a large drilling rig to address the complexities of the well site. The project is expected to last two weeks but could be extended.
The Katana 06-12 well, located near Diamond Valley , Alta., southwest of Calgary, has a long and complicated history. Drilled in 1930, it never produced oil or gas but has continuously leaked a small amount of methane, roughly equivalent to the amount a fully powered barbecue uses in an hour. Efforts to decommission the well have been met with challenges. Two previous attempts, in 2021 and an earlier unspecified date, were unsuccessful.
The 2021 attempt was hindered by crews using undersized equipment, while an earlier intervention by Alberta's energy regulator in 1996, aimed at fixing the leak, unfortunately left the situation more complex. Now, the Orphan Well Association (OWA) is undertaking the decommissioning process, utilizing a larger drilling rig to address the complexities of the project. The work is expected to last about two weeks, but could be extended if unforeseen problems are encountered underground. To minimize disruption to nearby residents, a large bale fence has been installed to block noise and light pollution from the drilling equipment. Barry Crane, a resident living near the well site, acknowledges the temporary inconvenience caused by the 24/7 operation of the drilling equipment and the associated light and noise. However, he recognizes the crucial nature of the work and the importance of creating safe environments.
Orphan Well Association Decommissioning Methane Leak Alberta Energy Regulation Diamond Valley
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