BP Tries to Secure Leaking Oil and Natural Gas Well in Alaska -- Update
April 15 2017 - 11:53PM
Dow Jones News
By Dan Molinski
BP PLC was working with authorities in Alaska on Saturday night
to stop oil and natural gas leaking from a well in Prudhoe Bay.
A joint statement from the oil company as well as from local and
federal authorities said the leak on Alaska's frozen North Slope
was discovered on Friday morning and that the amount of oil spilled
remained unknown. It added that the oil currently leaking was
"minor" compared to the release of natural gas from the well.
"The well structure is housed in a metal 'well house' which is
helping to contain any oil spray," the statement from Unified
Command, which includes BP, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, or
ADEC, and a North Slope group said.
"Based on an overflight with infrared cameras, the release
appears to be contained to a gravel pad surrounding the wellhead
and has not reached the tundra," U.K.-based BP said in a separate,
emailed statement. "The focus today is on developing plans to fully
and safely secure the well."
Authorities don't yet know what caused the discharge from the
well, which normally produces both oil and natural gas. Attempts to
stop the leak have so far failed.
"Responders attempted to bring the well under control last
night, however, this operation was unsuccessful due to damage on a
well pressure gauge," the ADEC said. "Responders have determined
that the well has 'jacked up,' or risen, approximately 3-4 feet;
this vertical movement of the well caused the pressure gauge to
break off and prevented operations from pumping into the well to
kill it."
There have been no injuries or reports of harm to wildlife, BP
said.
BP's operations in and around Prudhoe Bay account for about 55%
of Alaska's oil and gas production, according to the company
website.
Production began at Prudhoe Bay 40 years ago, and it remains one
of North America's largest oil fields, having generated more than
12 billion barrels of oil.
Write to Dan Molinski at Dan.Molinski@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 16, 2017 00:38 ET (04:38 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2017 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Bp (LSE:BP.)
Historical Stock Chart
From Feb 2024 to Mar 2024
Bp (LSE:BP.)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2023 to Mar 2024