By Chris Brown

At four sites next week

Downhole shallow gas well abandonment at city parks

Jan 7, 2022 | 2:10 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Urban abandonment work will take place at four gas well sites in the city’s south next week.

Downhole abandonment activities will happen at uneconomic shallow gas wells in Somerset Park, Chartwell Park, Spruce Park and Saamis Rotary Park.

In a release, the City of Medicine Hat says routine downhole abandonments take approximately three to five hours per site, depending on the complexity and condition of the wellbore. Total downhole abandonment activity at these four locations should conclude within approximately three days.

Once these downhole operations are complete, the wells will be permanently sealed. The surface equipment will be removed at a later date using different equipment.

The city is asking people to stay away from the worksites and a temporary fence will be erected around each wellsite. Parking, roadway and trail restrictions may occur for short duration in order for the equipment to access and maneuver around the park areas.

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“These specific wells were scheduled to be addressed in the winter when the parks have less visitors and activities,” said Ken Wright, supervisor of Gas Production Completions and Abandonment. “Safety is our top priority, so if we can minimize the number of people around when this large equipment is on-site, we all feel more comfortable.”

Wright adds that doing the work while the ground is frozen also minimizes any potential damage to the parks. As well, after the surface equipment is removed, the site will be reclaimed to its natural state with the exception of a surface level covering such as a manhole to allow future access to the well if needed.

Wright says there may be a temporary increase in odours, emissions and noise during the work.

“Any emissions and odours during the abandonment activity will be managed by qualified site personnel and shall comply with provincial Ambient Air Quality Guidelines,” he says.

A corporate emergency response plan to protect public safety is in place and safety personnel will oversee the work.

The city has about 3,500 licensed wells. Abandonment activities have occurred on close 2,400 wells with environmental work ongoing. About 450 wells are inactive and planned for abandonment and between 650 and 700 gas and oil wells remain in operation.