Dredging Operations Underway at Natural Gas Well Fire
The Meridian Resource Corp. (Houston) reports that dredging operations are now underway around the perimeter of the Thibodaux No. 2 well near Amelia, LA. The natural gas well remains on fire since being struck by lightning Friday night. Since the incident began, no injuries have occurred and no pollution has been detected in surrounding waters.
The dredging will allow access for firefighting barges to get closer to the well so more water can be sprayed on the fire. Once the dredging and wellhead inspection is complete, well control specialists can determine the best and safest method to extinguish the fire and cap the well.
As a backup, Meridian is planning to drill a relief well approximately 2500 feet away from the burning well. The drilling contractor estimates the relief well will take up to 45 days to drill to a depth of 18,000 feet. The relief well is designed to divert natural gas now escaping through the No. 2 well and should diminish or extinguish the fire.
The fire has had quite an impact on area residents and travelers. As a safety precaution, St. Mary Parish Emergency Preparedness officials evacuated 33 residents from Avoca Island last Friday. Fifteen residents will be allowed to return home tomorrow. Electric power was restored to all of Avoca Island yesterday. Louisiana State Police plan to set up roadblocks on the island for security. Those families who remain evacuated will continue to receive free hotel rooms, meals, laundry service, and other living expenses until they can return home. The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, which was closed following the fire, has reopened to two-way traffic by the US Coast Guard. Vessel traffic is still being detoured through Bayou Chene and the Atchafalaya River.
The Meridian Resource Corp. is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the exploration for and development of oil and natural gas properties utilizing 3-D seismic technology, primarily in south Louisiana, southeast Texas and offshore Gulf of Mexico.