Wheatley Updates

Media Release

August 23, 2022

APEC 1 work continues

The coring of the conductor pipe on the APEC 1 well in Wheatley is now underway and will continue for the next several days in preparation for the plugging of the well.

When the next steps in the workplan are completed, the well will be plugged with cement, as was done with the previous two wells found in the area.

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.

APEC 1 work continues

With the Installation of a conductor pipe on the APEC 1 well in Wheatley completed, work crews will spend the next several days monitoring the site, finalizing plans and implementing well preparations to eventually plug the well.

Once the final workplan is established the well will be plugged with cement, as was done with the previous two wells found in the area.

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

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

Installation of APEC 1 Conductor Pipe Well Complete Installation of the conductor pipe on the APEC 1 well in Wheatley was completed Monday.

Along with the installation of the 13” pipe, work crews have also removed the former casing from the approximately 100-foot deep well in the municipal parking lot. That casing, estimated at between 75 and 100 years old was heavily corroded

Once further monitoring is completed, workers will begin plugging the well, possibly by the end of this week.

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

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

Additional testing at the APEC 1 one site will push back remediation efforts until next week.

Work crews are examining several procedures related to how to best cap the well.

Work had been expected to resume Friday, however, additional time is needed to before entering the next phase due to the testing.

When work resumes, an odour of gas may be detected. If residents at any time detect the smell of gas, they are asked to immediately call 9-1-1.

Work was paused at the APEC 1 site while crews prepare to do additional testing following last Wednesday’s gas release.

The two-hour release was measured at 24 parts per billion in the atmosphere, less than one-hundredth of the amount that would represent a safety hazard. Some smell was noticeable at the site.

There has been no gas emission since that time.

A thorough review of the gas monitoring system and health and safety plans confirmed that no further action is required.

Work is expected to resume by the end of the week at which time an odour of gas may be detected. If residents at any time detect the smell of gas, they are asked to immediately call 9-1-1.

Workers were in the process of excavating around the well in preparation for driving a larger conductor pipe over the existing well when the release occurred.

At the time Chatham-Kent Fire Chief Chris Case confirmed that the safety plans guiding the operations worked as planned. “Gas was collected and directed to the vent to be flared. At no time was there a risk to our community located beyond the evacuation zone.”

At approximately 3 p.m. Wednesday, monitoring systems picked up a release of gas while crews were working at the APEC 1 site.

Work stopped and samples of the gas were taken for analysis.

At approximately 5 p.m. the release of gas ended.

Officials are gathering and reviewing data to determine when work can resume.

Workers were in the process of excavating around the well in preparation for driving a larger conductor pipe over the existing well when the release occurred.

Chatham-Kent Fire Chief Chris Case confirmed that the safety plans guiding the operations worked as planned. “Gas was collected and directed to the vent to be flared. At no time was there a risk to our community located beyond the evacuation zone.”

Chief Case noted that a sufficient amount of gas was present for those nearby to detect a smell. He noted that instruments detected 24 parts per billion in the atmosphere, less than one-hundredth of the amount that would represent a safety hazard.

Additional equipment has arrived on-site and work crews will start the process of driving a larger conductor pipe over the existing APEC 1 well.

The initial work completed on the well indicates it is approximately 100 feet deep and was most likely constructed as a source of water.

Once the pipe-driving is completed, remediation will begin. It is estimated that drilling and remediation will be completed during the next two to three weeks.

No gas has been detected so far throughout the process, however, the team will sample for analysis if this changes.

Work crews are awaiting additional equipment to continue coring the APEC 1 well nearest the site of last year’s explosion. Work on the well started this week.

The intent of this work is to learn more about the construction and depth of this well. No gas has been detected throughout the process.

Work has been paused until additional equipment arrives on site. The equipment is expected to be on-site Monday.

Once the investigation is complete the activities will switch over to remediation on APEC 1.

A total of 58 properties, residential or commercial have been affected by the reductions in the evacuation area. Each of those properties was deemed unsafe by Building Development Services and orders prohibiting use or occupancy were issued.

To date, orders on 15 residential and 6 commercial properties have been rescinded which allows those property owners to move back into their homes or open their businesses.

Of the 34 homeowners who were evacuated after the explosion, 10 homeowners, have returned home with another expected shortly.

Work crews Monday began coring of the APEC 1 well nearest the site of last year’s explosion. The intent of this work is to learn more about the construction and depth of this well. No gas has been detected throughout the process.

Work is continuing today, and residents may see more activity and heavy equipment on-site in the coming days. Once the investigation is complete the activities will switch over to remediation on APEC 1.