The Municipal project team has found what they believe is a wooden-cased petroleum well on the site of 17 Talbot Street East underneath the cement floor.
“No hydrogen sulfide gas has been detected but small amounts (300ppm) of methane can be detected,” Municipal officials say.
“The team is assessing next steps and will be following the operational plan. The venting hood will be placed over the well when practical as an extra precaution. At this time there is no risk to the community from this finding. The immediate next step will be to install a conductor pipe over the well and bring it back to surface. Once further details are known they will be communicated.”
Municipal officials added: “Chatham-Kent Fire & Rescue Services as well as Chatham-Kent EMS remain on site at all times to ensure the safety of the site and the surrounding community. Updates continue to be posted on the Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent Wheatley Updates webpage, located at www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/wheatley-updates. Residents are encouraged to check back often as information on progress and future schedules will be posted here.”
Following the discovery, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent is hosting a community open house for Wheatley residents on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wheatley Village Resource Centre.
“Municipal representatives and consultants will be on hand to explain technical details and answer any questions,” Municipal officials say.
“Materials will be posted on the Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent Wheatley Emergency Webpage for those who cannot attend.”
Municipal officials added: “Part of the conversation will be around the operational plan instigated by the investigation project team that will involve bringing the contracted drilling rig to the site to further investigate the potential petroleum well found. The mobilization of the rig will bring much more activity to the site including noise and light, once drilling operations begin, they will operate 24 hours per day seven days per week as communicated during the last public meeting.”
More details can be found, here.
