Gas Well Capping Project located at 18611 Hilliard Blvd. Rock River, Ohio 44116
Rob Montgomery
Dear Residents,
ODNR spokesman Andy Chow has provided the following statement regarding the gas well capping project at 18611 Hilliard Blvd, Rocky River, Ohio 44116.
“The odor people are reporting in the area is due to routine work to plug an orphan well. In January, a construction crew was doing work on a proposed housing development at 18611 Hilliard Blvd in Rocky River. That crew reported the discovery of an orphan well. At that time the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management issued an emergency contract and put a temporary cap on the well. Now, crews are working to put a permanent plug in the well. To do so, excess oil and gas must be extracted in order to clean out the well and set permanent cement plugs. This should be completed in the next couple of days and the odor should subside. The well is under control.”
Andy Chow ODNR Spokesman
The Rocky River Fire Department has been addressing the issues of the odors being produced by the well project. Fire department crews have been into various buildings metering for flammable, oxygen levels, LEL levels (Lower Explosive Limits). So far, all investigations have not produced any areas of concern. Fire Chief Lenart along with Building Commissioner Reich met with the ODNR Inspector on site, and the well capping supervisor to discuss and establish a plan for controlling the odors. The plan was implemented over the weekend. However, to be capped properly the well will require more drilling. The well capping company hopes to be through the Newburgh Oil field soon. This oil field is responsible for the foul odors coming from the well. Furthermore, this well capping requires drilling and placing of a casing in an historic well with wood plugs previously used for the capping process. Although a punctured well was reported it was soon learned that the removal of the wooden plugs was part of the process. The fire department and ODNR will continue to monitor the situation.