Excavation work in downtown Wheatley has been paused following the discovery of an additional gas well.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent on Thursday that a second well had been located in close proximity to the site of the August 26 explosion.
Petroleum inspectors from the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry attended the site this week to gather information on the well. The data will be used to understand how to properly control any gas flow from the well and mitigate any releases in the future.
According to the municipality, experts are also anticipating another gas release in the area.
Thomas Kelly, Chatham-Kent General Manager of Infrastructure and Engineering Services, said a pattern has emerged that shows a build-up and release of the gas every 38 and 47 days.
“We anticipate the next release could be within a few days of December 31,” he said in a news release. “We are venting and monitoring the gas to reduce any chance of further issues.”
The municipality added Fire and Emergency Services will remain a the site as air monitoring continues.
Excavation at the site of the explosion in Wheatley has been ongoing for just over a week as crews investigate possible links between the sources of hydrogen sulphide gas, which have been wreaking havoc on the downtown core since early June. Pathway analysis will also help determine how the gas is reaching the surface.