Wheatley Updates

On September 28^th, the provincial contractor completed the cut and cap of the well.

Today, contractors and a team from the University of Windsor will be on site as they conduct a production flow test. Extra air monitoring will occur as they begin pumping the well. The test involves pumping the well for six hours, putting the water and gas through separator and sampling and testing the by-products from the test. Testing will continue into October 5^th.

Information from the sampling will be used to determine next steps for monitoring.

Most of the site restoration work has been undertaken, however there is still some contractor equipment on site and some miscellaneous cleanup work to complete.

In the meantime, residents are reminded that if at any time you detect the smell of gas, to immediately call 9-1-1.

The Municipality’s contractors will be performing a production flow test of the monitoring well in the municipal parking lot for the duration of the day Tuesday, October 4^th.

Safety systems are in place to pump water out of the well for 6 hours and measure the quantity and concentration of any gasses emitted. This data is needed to further review the evacuation zone and for future right-sizing of equipment.

Preparations for this work will commence today, Monday, October 3rd starting at 12:00 pm.

All air monitors will be operational, and the Chatham-Kent Fire Department will be onsite. If residents smell any gas, they should immediately call 9-1-1.

Final work on APEC 1 will continue today as contractors complete cutting the well and capping. Testing will continue with clean-up and restoration of the work area later this week.

In the meantime, residents are reminded that if at any time you detect the smell of gas, to immediately call 9-1-1.

Work on the APEC 1 well in Wheatley has resumed. The provincial contractor will be on site today to complete cementing the inner casing of the well. Cement will need to be set and then final work to abandon the well will continue later this week.

Work on restoring the worksite and contractor demobilization will begin as soon as this work is complete and is expected to take into next week.

In the meantime, residents are reminded that if at any time they detect the smell of gas, to immediately call 9-1-1.

Work on the APEC 1 well in Wheatley is currently on hold as experts assess the work completed last week on the installation of the cement between the casing and the conductor pipe. Work is expected to resume at the beginning of next week to begin plugging the well.

An in-person town hall meeting to update residents and provide a forum for questions and answers will be held in Wheatley on Thursday, September 15^th at the Wheatley Arena. The meeting will begin at 6:30 pm. Anyone unable to attend in person or who wishes to participate virtually will be able to watch the meeting live on the Municipal Facebook and YouTube channels. Those wishing to attend the meeting in-person can signup via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/414861260197

In the meantime, residents are reminded that if at any time they detect the smell of gas, to immediately call 9-1-1.

Work on the coring of the conductor pipe on the APEC 1 well in Wheatley will begin this week with the installation of a new case inside the conductor pipe. The casing is to replace the old casing and will be cemented in bedrock. Once the casing is installed, cement will fill the space between the conductor and casing pipes. Testing of this portion of work will begin on September 6th.

Once that is completed, work crews will undertake geophysical tests to ensure the site is ready for the next phase of plugging the well with cement.

A town hall meeting will be held in Wheatley in the second week of September. The location and timing of the event will be shared later this week. The meeting will be an in-person meeting with options for participants to watch live on the Municipal Facebook and YouTube channels.

There has been no gas emission at the site since July 6.

If at any time residents detect the smell of gas, they are asked to immediately call 9-1-1.

One year ago tomorrow, the community of Wheatley was stunned by a gas explosion in the downtown core.

Today, as we continue efforts to address the situation, council would like to pay tribute to the citizens of Wheatley who have endured a year of uncertainty while a team of professionals worked to determine the cause of the explosion.

During this time the citizens of Wheatley have worked tirelessly to advocate, collaborate and work with municipal and provincial officials to resolve issues. Between volunteers and organized citizen groups, together members of the community have been unrelenting in their commitment to the downtown core of Wheatley and envisioning what the future could hold.

While there is still work to be done, on behalf of council, we remain committed to helping the community of Wheatley as it moves forward to renewed vibrancy. We appreciate the support and passion from the citizens and business owners of Wheatley. #Wheatley Strong”

Darrin Canniff,

Mayor, Chatham-Kent

Conductor Pipe Coring Almost Complete on APEC 1

The coring of the conductor pipe on the APEC 1 well in Wheatley will be completed by mid-next week.

Once that is completed, work crews will undertake geophysical tests to ensure the site is ready for the next phase of plugging the well with cement.

There has been no gas emission at the site since July 6.

If at any time residents detect the smell of gas, they are asked to immediately call 9-1-1.