The search for the source of hydrogen sulphide under downtown Wheatley continues.
Investigators at the scene have narrowed down the source of repeated gas leaks to two of the three areas of potential environmental concern – or APECs – and say they’re now trying to find any pathways between APEC 1 and 2.
Analysis of the gas samples taken from APEC 1 and APEC 2 indicates the gas source closely matches gas from a producing natural gas well in the region.
To date, H2S has been detected near APEC 1 during gas leak events and was accompanied by flowing water. It was also detected in extremely low concentrations near APEC 2 immediately following the latest gas leak event on Nov. 21/21. The source of H2S may be related to an unidentified gas source (thermogenic) from depth. It is also possible that the H2S is biogenic in nature and is generated from stagnant water close to surface mixing with gas that is migrating along a subsurface pathway.
The goal for the next phase of the investigation is to confirm if a lateral pathway exists between APEC 1 and 2 and to confirm whether there are any other sources of gas.
Chatham-Kent CAO Don Shropshire says Entegrus crews are preparing to remove hydro poles ahead of demolition around the scene of the explosion at 15 Erie Street North.
“There’s going to be more heavy equipment coming in, we need to demolish a couple of buildings immediately adjacent to the site,” Shropshire explains. “There’s MJ Pizza, there’s some pieces of the building that are overhanging where the Pogue used to, that will have to come down to make it safer for them to do some investigative work.”
A pair of concrete slabs at the former site of the Pogue and the property next door also need to be removed.
Technical consultants continue working with sub-contractors, the municipality, and provincial officials to develop detailed work and health and safety plans.
