Because BP is pumping excess gas back into the ground, a North Slope well is now damaged and spewing gas vapors which could ignite into a giant fireball – PB/TK
BP Struggles to Control Damaged Well in Alaskan Arctic – By CLIFFORD KRAUSS April 16 2017
The British oil giant BP worked through the weekend to control a damaged oil well in Alaska’s remote North Slope that had started spewing natural gas vapors on Friday morning, the company and Alaska officials said.
There have been no injuries nor reports of damage to wildlife, but crews trying to secure the well have so far failed amid frigid winds gusting to 38 miles an hour.
Alaskan and federal officials have identified two leaks venting methane gas, a powerful greenhouse gas linked to climate change. While some crude has sprayed out of the well with the gas, BP said that infrared cameras on a flight over the site appeared to confirm that the oil released was contained on the gravel pad surrounding the well head and did not reach the tundra.
The damaged well is on state land several miles outside the remote town of Deadhorse.
“Crews are on the scene and are developing plans to bring the well under control,” said Brett Clanton, a BP spokesman, “and safety will remain our top priority as we move through this process.” He said that it was unknown how much gas had leaked, and that the company would investigate the causes of the accident after repairs were made.
Oil workers operating near the well were evacuated because of the possibility of an explosion.
Continue to msn.com article: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/bp-struggles-to-control-damaged-well-in-alaskan-arctic/ar-BBzUj8a?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp
