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Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012-2015

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  • Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

    Just a few of the recent updates:

    From Texas Brine
    November 7, 2012
    The Observation Well was opened this morning for several hours during
    which 68 barrels of liquid hydrocarbon were removed from brine cavern #3.

    Flaring of natural gas from the shallow aquifer relief well continues on a 24-hour basis. Between 12:00 noon on Monday and 7:00 a.m. this morning, slightly more than 70,000 cubic feet of natural gas has been vented from the well and safely flared at the surface.

    November 8, 2012
    As of 8:00 a.m. today, just over 100,000 cubic feet of natural gas
    has been vented from aquifer and safely flared at the surface.

    November 9, 2012
    1. The Observation Well was opened this morning for two hours during which approximately 60 barrels (or 2,520 gallons) of liquid hydrocarbon were displaced from cavern #3 to the surface.

    Results from yesterday?s measurement of the total depth of the cavern revealed that the cavern floor has risen another four feet since last measured on November 1. The next total depth measurement will occur next Thursday, November 15.

    2. Only a small amount of hydrocarbon remains to be removed from the surface of the sinkhole. The surface will be carefully monitored to see if any additional oily material accumulates. Skimming of the small amount of liquid hydrocarbon material observed in the tree-filled swampy area bordering the sinkhole continued today.

    3. Between 8:00 a.m. yesterday and 8:00 a.m. this morning, another 34,000 cubic feet of natural gas was vented from the shallow aquifer relief well and safely flared at the surface. The venting and flaring continues 24 hours a day.

    **************

    The latest Assumption Parish Summary had a few changes/additions:
    As of Nov 8:
    * Parish Emergency Declared ? 19 June 2012...Extended 30 days on 9 November, 2012
    * Texas Brine Collected a total of 4332.6 bbls(cumulative total as of 8 November 2012) of hydrocarbons from the Oxy 3A Cavern and flared a total of 544 mcf of metered gas(cumulative total as of 8 November 2012)
    * Air Monitoring Sample Data
    ?1 letter (dated 10/18/2012) was released to the parish during this operational period for community ambient air and air at bubble sites sampled 9/28/2012-10/14/2012 (MultiRAE). Findings-It does not appear that chemical exposure of site-related contaminants poses a public health risk to individuals in the immediate area of Bayou Corne for the time period and chemicals sampled.
    ?1 letter (dated 10/18/2012) was released to the parish during this operational period for residential ambient air sampled 9/28/2012-10/13/2012 (MultiRAE); Findings-It does not appear that chemical exposure of site-related contaminants poses a public health risk to individuals in the immediate area of Bayou Corne for the time period and chemicals sampled.
    ?1 letter (dated 10/18/2012) was released to the parish during this operational period for air samples collected 9/26/2012 and 10/2/2012 (isotopic analysis); Findings-This data is meant to characterize the gas in the bubbles and wells sampled. These type of analyses do not provide data that could be used for assessing public health.
    * Industrial Water Well Sampling Data
    ?1 letter (dated 10/18/2012) was released to the parish during this operational period for industrial wells sampled on 9/26/2012. Findings-DHH recommends immediate remediation of industrial water wells with high levels of methane.
    * Safe Drinking Water
    ?1 letter (dated 10/18/2012) was released to the parish during this operational period for two privately-owned water wells sampled on 9/26/2012. Findings-DHH recommends property owners routinely monitor for the presence of methane in the tested water wells.
    * As of 06 November, Texas Brine has removed 123 roll off boxes hydrocarbon contaminated debris.
    * As of 06 November, Texas Brine has removed approximately 1535 Barrels of hydrocarbons from the surface of the sinkhole.
    * Pursant to the DNR press release dated 11/7/2012 regarding the pressure in some geoprobes, LDEQ will conduct indoor air monitoring as requested at residential homes in the Bayou Corne community.

    **************

    New flyover pictures were also posted on Nov 8
    Explore Assumption Parish Police Jury’s 1,194 photos on Flickr!


    As well as a brief flyover video


    A screen cap for those who can't see the video

    Click image for larger version

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    The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

    Comment


    • Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

      Even though DNR thinks this well is too far from the sinkhole to affect it, evacuees are worried since that blowout happened just a couple of years ago and some evacuees from Bayou Corne are currently living near the new well site.

      http://theadvocate.com/home/4388957-...till-producing
      Facilities around sinkhole allowed to continue operations

      By David J. Mitchell
      River Parishes bureau
      November 12, 2012
      0 Comments

      BRULE ST. MARTIN ? Five miles as the crow flies from the Bayou Corne-area sinkhole near La. 1000, Petrodome Operating LLC is drilling for oil deep underground.

      Petrodome is backed by an Australian company, Grand Gulf Energy Ltd., that has a trove of proprietary seismic data allowing the company and its partners to plumb strata a few miles off the Napoleonville Dome for oil and gas finds others have not tapped, company news releases and well records show...
      _____________________________________________

      Ask Congress to Investigate COVID Origins and Government Response to Pandemic.

      i love myself. the quietest. simplest. most powerful. revolution ever. ---- nayyirah waheed

      "...there’s an obvious contest that’s happening between different sectors of the colonial ruling class in this country. And they would, if they could, lump us into their beef, their struggle." ---- Omali Yeshitela, African People’s Socialist Party

      (My posts are not intended as advice or professional assessments of any kind.)
      Never forget Excalibur.

      Comment


      • Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

        11:50 a.m. Update
        November 12, 2012
        Observation Well #2 has been re-perforated and there is pressure present. A flare stack will be installed and we will update accordingly.

        Also, we?ve been informed that 3 trees that were standing where the last slough in occurred, have fallen into the sinkhole.

        ********************
        News Release

        Office of Conservation Orders Texas Brine to Take Further Steps to Protect Public Safety
        For Immediate Release
        Monday, Nov. 12, 2012
        Contact: Phyllis Darensbourg, 225.342.0058

        Office of Conservation Orders Texas Brine to Take Further Steps to Protect Public Safety
        Directive specifies network of observation/vent wells, monitoring wells, subsidence benchmarks and home monitoring

        BATON ROUGE ? Louisiana Commissioner of Conservation James Welsh today ordered Texas Brine LLC to install a network of observation/vent wells, pressure monitoring wells and elevation benchmarks for subsidence monitoring in the Bayou Corne area to ensure the public?s safety. The commissioner also ordered the company to assume responsibility for operating the observation/vent wells already installed by the Office of Conservation?s contracted agent, Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure, and to provide containment around the sinkhole area to prevent any release of oil into nearby waterways.

        The new orders under the existing Declaration of Emergency and Directive also specifically require Texas Brine to install in-home monitors to detect possible natural gas accumulations and to upgrade home ventilation for all slab-foundation buildings within the Bayou Corne evacuation area established by Assumption Parish. These additional orders are needed because of the potential for methane accumulation connected to the failure of Texas Brine?s nearby brine mining cavern.

        Though Texas Brine is being ordered to assume responsibility for operating and installing the networks of wells and monitoring equipment, Welsh said, the actions taken must meet the specifications and requirements of the Office of Conservation?s oversight of the response to the sinkhole and ongoing presence of natural gas in and above the aquifer. These events are connected to the failure of Texas Brine?s abandoned brine cavern on the western side of the Napoleonville Salt Dome.

        Welsh said the additional requirements are based on analysis by the Office of Conservation and expert consultants with the Office?s contracted agent, Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure, of underground conditions in the area above the top of the ground water aquifer, where natural gas pressure has been detected. Though past monitoring of slab-based structures in the area have shown no accumulation of natural gas in homes, Welsh said that all necessary steps must be taken to detect, minimize or prevent any such accumulation from occurring.

        ?The steps outlined in this directive will give us an added layer of protection in ensuring public safety and move the response effort closer to bringing the lives of the residents of the Bayou Corne area back to normal,? Welsh said. ?They are designed to provide three lines of defense ? ongoing removal of natural gas from the aquifer and underground in and around the community; use of ventilation as a preventative measure against potential natural gas accumulation in homes; and because we cannot take public safety for granted, constant monitoring for any possible natural gas accumulation in those structures.?

        Welsh noted that his order will not alter the ongoing cooperative effort between the Office of Conservation and the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to run an additional round of in-home testing for methane accumulation in slab-built structures in the area to determine current conditions.

        The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

        Comment


        • Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

          Updates from the parish blog

          We have been informed by Entergy that due to required repairs on their Napoleonville substation, they have scheduled a planned electricity outage tonight at Midnight. The outage is scheduled to last 2-3 hours.

          The affected areas include:
          Highway 1, from Assumption Parish Waterworks to Paincourtville (including Highway 401 ?Canal Road?)
          Highway 308, from the Napoleonville Bridge (@ traffic signal) to Plattenville.

          We encourage you to spread the word to friends and neighbors.

          ******************

          The Nov 14 resident briefing videos (12 of them) have been posted at YouTube, as well as 2 flyover videos



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          The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

          Comment


          • Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

            KLFY has a 3-part video series from early this month about the Bayou Corne disaster here:

            http://www.klfy.com/story/19990672/assumption-sinkhole

            The 3rd part has an interview with 2 internationally known earth scientists at University of Louisiana/Lafayette that basically confirms the unprecedented nature of what has happened and the uncertainties involved.

            The Shaw group made another presentation to the public on 11/13:

            http://www.edsuite.com/proposals/pro...ion_fi_523.pdf

            One of the topics covered is the ongoing flaring of accumulated gas:


            Vent Well Data
            •Flowing at 15-30 Thousand Ft3/Day
            •Formation pressures
            –Between 50 & 90 psi
            –Slightly greater than water pressure at these depths and less than rock/soil pressure (frac pressure)
            •Total column of gas in aquifer between 5 and 30 feet (at ORW-04, 95-128’)
            Also their slides indicate that the central sinkhole bubbling remains choked off and the ramifications of that are unknown:

            Sinkhole Status
            •Area of sinkhole—8 acres as of first November
            •Gradual subsidence noted outside of sinkhole to the west
            •Large bubble plume has disappeared
            –May indicate gas is being depleted
            –May indicate gas is accumulating in collapse zone
            One hopeful impression I got is that the cavern may be reaching stability. On the other hand, the issue of flow from the deeper strata via the frac-out channel caused by the cavern collapse is still a major concern:

            Ultimate Resolution of Methane Gas Problem
            •Unprecedented problem
            –Complexity
            –Scope
            •Vent well effectiveness being assessed
            •Large area of gas accumulation
            •Ongoing evaluations of viable options including reservoir size and geology
            •Intercept Big Hum gas—very difficult
            –200+ foot interval with multiple production horizons
            –Very difficult to determine gas production horizons
            –Other horizons may be flowing into collapse zone
            Much more information at the link, including maps and graphics.
            Last edited by Emily; November 20, 2012, 03:19 AM. Reason: Typo fix.
            _____________________________________________

            Ask Congress to Investigate COVID Origins and Government Response to Pandemic.

            i love myself. the quietest. simplest. most powerful. revolution ever. ---- nayyirah waheed

            "...there’s an obvious contest that’s happening between different sectors of the colonial ruling class in this country. And they would, if they could, lump us into their beef, their struggle." ---- Omali Yeshitela, African People’s Socialist Party

            (My posts are not intended as advice or professional assessments of any kind.)
            Never forget Excalibur.

            Comment


            • Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

              Here is a list of graphs and charts from the presentation in case we want to find them again:

              Vent well locations
              Shallow geology (showing layers of clay, sand, etc)
              Data locations
              Geoprobes
              Shallow gas area
              a) monitoring locations
              b) base of clay elevation
              Conceptual shallow gas model
              Potential gas migration into homes
              Estimated area of maximum subsidence
              Sinkhole changes over time
              Sinkhole cross-sections
              Conceptual model of cavern
              Top of salt and overhang (includes data from 2001)
              Pre-collapse 3-D Model of Big Hum, dome, cavern, sinkhole
              Cavern fluid recovery
              Cavern gas flared
              Cavern fluid recovery slowing
              Cavern pressure data lower
              Cavern fill-in rate

              I think these are good for future referencing

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              The residents really had a lot of concerns at the briefing; mostly about the monitoring of gas and health issues. And, of course, when they will be able to go home again.

              When asked about the time-frame for folks to be able to go back home, Dr. Hecox, with the Shaw Group, said it would not be "weeks" but other than that, he wouldn't speculate. He has said a number of times that will will be a long term situation.

              He also couldn't explain from a gas-flow geology why the gas bubbling was occurring in the area NE of Grand Bayou. That gas has the same fingerprint as the other gas, so he assumed it was from the same source and it may very well be following the path of least resistance.

              It's being strongly urged that the homes that are built on slabs should have 24 hour/365 days monitoring.

              They have brought the internationally-recognized group, Itasca, to try to get some answers to the unknowns. The void along the salt dome is a concern due to the possibility of gas accumulating in those pockets and that will be just one of the issues Itasca will be addressing.

              Hecox talked about the pressure in the cavern going down. It stayed at 270 for a long time and then dropped to 180 (and holding). They don't know why but speculate that the filling of the cavern has slowed and is not putting so much pressure on the brine. There is about 600' left of the cavern to fill in.

              The residents requested that a toxicologist be present at the next meeting to discuss the long-term effects of breathing the bad air. They would also like "long-term" to be better defined.
              The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

              Comment


              • Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

                In the latest Assumption Parish update dated Nov 16, there was the following comment:

                Following recent reports of seismic activity on the western side of the Napoleonville Salt Dome, the Office of Conservation asked Dr. Stephen Horton, Research Scientist CERI, with University of Memphis. Dr, Horton said :
                ?Small tremors were observed on 11, 12, and 15 November. The preliminary location of the 12 November event is just east of Oxy # 3 with an estimated depth around 400 m (~1300ft) although the uncertainty in the depth estimate is large. This is the same general area where events were observed in July and August. The concern level remains relatively low because of the modest seismicity rate with events occurring in the same general source area. Very long period (VLP) signals continue to occur within the local seismic network. These VLP signals have been prominent on helicorder displays during the last week. We are still investigating the cause of the VLP signals.
                Looking at the helicorders this morning, there was a reading at about 10 p.m. last night that I haven't seen since I've been watching. Notice down toward the bottom, the red and green bands of activity. None of the other helicorders picked up on that. I wish we had seismologist who could explain some of these readings.

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                This is from Nov 15; I wonder if the bands in the upper half are the VLP signals they are talking about.

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                I drew a red line at the approximate depth where that activity, as well as the Oct 23 event @ 1600 ft., occurred.

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                The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

                Comment


                • Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

                  Assumption Parish update:
                  http://assumptionla.wordpress.com/

                  November 20, 2012
                  Texas Brine has reported high levels of H2S from their sonic vent well that is drilled into the cap rock. The well was shut in due to these levels. DNR?s contractor, The Shaw Group, is currently investigating. We are currently waiting on additional details from DNR.

                  Please be advised that H2S is an extremely dangerous gas. Unlike methane, it is heavier than air and collects at low to the ground levels. No community air monitors have detected H2S. Monitoring will continue as usual.

                  Additional Information:
                  Office of Conservation-
                  Texas Brine?s second vent well (drilled and perforated near the top of the Napoleonville Salt Dome cap rock, much deeper than the shallower aquifer vent wells constructed in the area), encountered hydrogen sulfide gas as venting operations were initiated. Air monitoring detected the hydrogen sulfide gas during venting/flaring operations, and Texas Brine shut the well in to prevent any potential for release. The Office of Conservation concurred with that action to ensure safety of the public and workers on the site. Texas Brine has also established a safety perimeter around the well, including use of barricades and gas monitors, under the oversight of Conservation staff on site. Hydrogen sulfide does sometimes occur naturally in the cap rock of salt domes, and while the cap rock of the Napoleonville Salt Dome does underlie the Texas Brine facility, it does not extend to the Bayou Corne community. Additionally, ongoing daily environmental safety testing in the Bayou Corne community by DEQ has included tests for hydrogen sulfide, and it has not been detected in the community to date. Additionally, DEQ took an extra round of samples today and will continue to monitor the community. The Office of Conservation will be meeting with Texas Brine representatives to further assess the next steps to be taken with the well.

                  *******************

                  And a corresponding story from the Advocate:

                  Hydrogen sulfide gas found in sinkhole-area vent well
                  BY DAVID J. MITCHELL

                  River Parish bureau
                  November 21, 2012
                  ...
                  Cranch said workers had completed hooking up flaring equipment to the vent well in question earlier Monday and had only recently begun burning off methane when the hydrogen sulfide was found.

                  He said the gas was released from equipment that separates impurities from methane coming out of the well before it reaches the flare.

                  The separator releases what it collects every two minutes, Cranch said.

                  ?When they smelled that from the separator, they shut it down,? Cranch said.
                  ...
                  Patrick Courreges, spokesman for the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, said officials believe any risk of hydrogen sulfide coming from the other five vent wells ? three of which are flaring methane continuously ? is very low because they are shallower compared to the other well.
                  ..
                  The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

                  Comment


                  • Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

                    http://www.wbrz.com/news/officials-m...near-sinkhole/
                    Officials monitoring for more hydrogen sulfide near sinkhole

                    Posted: Nov 21, 2012 6:26 PM by Adrian Pittman
                    Updated: Nov 21, 2012 6:26 PM
                    Officials monitoring for more hydrogen sulfide near sinkhole
                    BAYOU CORNE - The fear and anxiety intensifies near Bayou Corne after a poisonous and flammable gas was found in a relief well...
                    <iframe src="http://www.wbrz.com/videoplayer/?video_id=13640&categories=58&player_width=584&pla yer_height=328&has_playlist=false&total_playlist_i tems=1&items_per_page=1&will_stretch_videos=false& has_autoplay=false&auto_hide=always&show_info=true &show_companions=true&live=false&iframe=true" style="width:584px;height:357px;border:none;overfl ow:hidden;" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
                    ""We are tired of Texas Brine determining what's relevant, what is not relevant, what's dangerous and what's not dangerous, and give us information when they feel it's appropriate." says Assumption Parish President, Marty Triche."
                    http://www.fox44.com/news/bayou-corn...oxic-gas-found
                    Bayou Corne community outraged with lack of warning of toxic gas found
                    Kris Cusanza Reporter
                    Wednesday, November 21, 2012 - 5:33pm

                    BAYOU CORNE,LA (FOX44) ? Assumption Parish emergency officials are outraged after they say Texas Brine failed to tell them that toxic gas was found near the sinkhole. Officials say it took Texas Brine almost 24 hours before the company told them about the discovery.
                    [snip]
                    Emergency officials say Texas Brine did not do its job to warn officials.

                    "It should not occur," John Boudreaux, Assumption Parish Office of Emergency Prepardness, said. "It should be immediate notification of something this serious to all these agencies. They have a legal responsibility to do something. It's in state law to make an immediate notification when you are dealing with an extremely hazardous substance."...
                    There's another video with interviews with residents at the FOX link.

                    Maybe the state should set up 24 hr monitoring for H2S if Texas Brine is not going to alert them to releases.

                    http://www.onepetro.org/mslib/servle...ew?id=00071439
                    Publisher Society of Petroleum Engineers Language English
                    Document ID 71439-MS DOI More information 10.2118/71439-MS
                    Content Type Conference Paper
                    Title Health, Safety and Environment Impact Assessment for Onshore Sour Gas Wells
                    Authors C. Rezaei, M.M.K. Al Mehairy, A. Al Marzooqi, ADCO
                    Source

                    SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, 30 September-3 October 2001, New Orleans, Louisiana
                    ISBN 978-1-55563-154-3
                    Copyright 2001. Society of Petroleum Engineers
                    Preview

                    Abstract

                    It is recognised that the drilling of high sour gas wells entails higher risk to workers, more complex drilling procedures and potentially higher concequences should a well failure occur. The sour gas well studied is known to contain 36% vol/vol of H2S which in the event of a blowout could have a significant impact. Concentrations capable of causing health difficulties could occur over 30 kms from the wellsite. Sour wells with high H 2S release potential or those near dwellings require site specific emergency response plans. In case of a significant release of H2S, the health & safety of the public will be protected either by their evacuation or ignition of the well. At night, with stable conditions, the dispersion distances may be increased by a factor of 10.
                    [snip]
                    HSE Impact Assessment

                    Hydrogen Sulphide

                    Hydrogen sulphide (H 2S) is a highly toxic, colorless, flammable gas. The major hazard of H2S is its ability to cause sudden death due to accidental exposure.

                    Threshold Limit Value - Short Term Exposure Limit (TLV-STEL) of H2S is 15 ppm (21 mg/m3) for 15 minutes. This is the concentration to which workers can be exposed continuously for a short period of time without suffering from irritation, chronic or irreversible tissue damage or accidental injury.
                    _____________________________________________

                    Ask Congress to Investigate COVID Origins and Government Response to Pandemic.

                    i love myself. the quietest. simplest. most powerful. revolution ever. ---- nayyirah waheed

                    "...there’s an obvious contest that’s happening between different sectors of the colonial ruling class in this country. And they would, if they could, lump us into their beef, their struggle." ---- Omali Yeshitela, African People’s Socialist Party

                    (My posts are not intended as advice or professional assessments of any kind.)
                    Never forget Excalibur.

                    Comment


                    • Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

                      Here is the most recent update from Assumption Parish:

                      Status of Hydrogen Sulfide in Bayou Corne Area

                      Prepared by Gary R. Hecox, Ph.D., Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc.

                      Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc. (Shaw) has reviewed existing data and is currently collecting new data to evaluate the conditions related to the hydrogen sulfide observed in the Texas Brine Relief Well #2 completed in the cap rock. At all times, protection of local residents and project staff is and will remain the top priority when making decisions and recommendations for response activities related to site conditions.

                      Currently there are five vent wells completed in the alluvial aquifer and one, Relief Well #2, completed in the cap rock. Four of the vent wells have positive wellhead pressure indicating gas accumulation; the fifth well has no wellhead pressure.

                      Acting out of an abundance of caution to the potentially changing conditions when notified about the detection of hydrogen sulfide gas on Tuesday November 20, 2012, Shaw shut down flaring operations on the two ORW vent wells currently being flared. This was done to allow for collection of quantitative hydrogen sulfide data and develop the appropriate plan and monitoring measures to safely go forward with flaring operations. ORW-2 has since resumed flaring and Texas Brine Relief Well #1 remained flaring. Flaring operations are being monitored for hydrogen sulfide by the local ambient air monitors and site personnel.

                      DNR and Shaw have discussed with Texas Brine what occurred at the Relief Well #2. The geophysical log on Relief Well #2 showed gas accumulation from 142 to 150 feet in the alluvial aquifer immediately below the base of the overlying clay and from 424 to 432 feet in the cap rock on top of the salt of the Napoleonville dome. On November 15, 2012 this well was perforated in the cap rock at depths of 424 to 427 feet and 455 to 457 feet. The gas accumulation zone in the alluvial aquifer was not perforated. On Monday November 19, 2012, Texas Brine set up the flare on this well and started flaring gas from the cap rock. Venting and flaring continued until late in the day when water started to be produced from the well. Texas Brine set up a gas/water separator and restarted flaring operations. After a very short period of flaring, site personnel noticed hydrogen sulfide odors from the water being discharged from the separator. At this time, one of the AreaRae monitors was used to check for hydrogen sulfide gas. When hydrogen sulfide was confirmed, Texas Brine stopped flaring operations, shut-in and locked the wells, and set a safety perimeter. The well currently remains shut-in and locked.

                      Shaw has checked the ORW vent wells for hydrogen sulfide. In the two wells being flared, no detectable hydrogen sulfide concentrations were measured in the gas. Low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide, consistent with a swamp environment, were measured in the two ORW wells that have not been flared. Shaw is checked all 18 of the shallow Geoprobe wells for hydrogen sulfide. All of these shallow wells were nondetect for hydrogen sulfide.

                      At this point in time, it appears that the hydrogen sulfide produced by Relief Well #2 was only from the cap rock and not the alluvial aquifer vent wells. While low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide have been detected at some of the bubble sites, the concentrations are well below those that would pose a human health risk. Other than Relief Well #2, all hydrogen sulfide concentrations measured are consistent with the production of hydrogen sulfide caused by decay of trees and other vegetation in a swamp environment.

                      ********************

                      Here is a link to the letter from Commissioner of Conservation Jim Welsh to Texas Brine LLC on the steps taken in response to the detection of hydrogen sulfide in the company?s second vent well and instructions for further action.

                      *********************

                      This is the latest statement on the recent seismic activity

                      Analysis from Itasca Group on recent seismic monitoring that can be posted to Assumption blog to give information to public on latest evaluation ?

                      Dr. Will Pettitt, Principal Geophysicist at Itasca Consulting Group, has reviewed the seismic data recorded overnight on November 20/21. Long-period seismic tremors and micro-earthquakes have been observed, similar to those defined previously by Dr. Steve Horton of CERI/USGS, and recorded mainly on station LA08 closest to the sinkhole. The long-period seismic tremors are postulated to be caused by gas and/or fluid movements through the rock collapse zone below the sinkhole on the edge of the salt dome. Micro-earthquakes of this nature are typically associated with small-scale rock movements, and again are believed to be occurring in the collapse zone. The source of both of these event types continues to be investigated by experts.
                      The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

                      Comment


                      • Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

                        http://assumptionla.wordpress.com/20...inkhole-event/
                        2:55 p.m. Sinkhole Event
                        November 27, 2012 //

                        An event occurred at the sinkhole around 11:30 pm today which is being considered as a ?burp?. Vegetative debris and hydrocarbons came up from below the sinkhole. A few trees in the southwest corner did fall in however most of the debris came from below the sinkhole. Texas Brine removed all crews from the sinkhole and is checking the boom surrounding the area to make sure everything is in tact...
                        Video showing aftermath:
                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-N1P8dSCMM
                        Screen capture:


                        This might be the event that the increased seismic activity heralded, particularly the long period tremors. I'm glad no workers were injured. Volcano scientists learned the hard way that long period tremors can be a warning of pressure building underground.
                        _____________________________________________

                        Ask Congress to Investigate COVID Origins and Government Response to Pandemic.

                        i love myself. the quietest. simplest. most powerful. revolution ever. ---- nayyirah waheed

                        "...there’s an obvious contest that’s happening between different sectors of the colonial ruling class in this country. And they would, if they could, lump us into their beef, their struggle." ---- Omali Yeshitela, African People’s Socialist Party

                        (My posts are not intended as advice or professional assessments of any kind.)
                        Never forget Excalibur.

                        Comment


                        • Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

                          This sounds like there was some sort of plunger-like force created in the sinkhole during the recent 'burp.'

                          http://theadvocate.com/home/4538683-...n-hydrocarbons
                          Assumption sinkhole ?burps? vegetation, hydrocarbons
                          david j. mitchell
                          River Parishes bureau
                          November 28, 2012
                          [snip]
                          Cranch said the mix of debris, dirt and emulsified oil that surfaced and broke apart Tuesday appeared to have originated from the sinkhole?s bottom.

                          ?The point being, it?s not a belch of just crude oil,? Cranch said.

                          Boudreaux said before the sinkhole disgorged the material, the water level dropped by about 6 inches and then returned to its original level. The size of the water level change was based on measurements of hydrocarbon rings left on trees...
                          http://assumptionla.wordpress.com/20...-field-update/
                          8:25 p.m. Bayou Corne Field Update
                          November 27, 2012

                          [snip]
                          Sinkhole Site ?
                          Settling/shifting of material underlying sinkhole created disturbance of water in sinkhole in morning roughly coinciding with USGS report of observance of seismic activity ? crude oil emulsion and woody debris from sinkhole bottom observed rising to surface, water from nearby swamp seen flowing into sinkhole. Surface activity observed for several minutes before water calmed again.
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                          • Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

                            http://theadvocate.com/news/4547791-...not-reportable
                            Police: Gas release not reportable
                            BY DAVID J. MITCHELL
                            River Parishes bureau

                            November 29, 2012
                            2 Comments

                            The atmospheric release of hydrogen sulfide gas last week from a Texas Brine Co. LLC vent well in Assumption Parish did not require immediate reporting to state hazardous materials authorities, Louisiana State Police said.

                            Capt. Doug Cain, State Police spokesman, said the release of the gas, which is flammable and poisonous at high concentrations, did not go off the company’s site and did not trip community air monitors.

                            “As far as we’re concerned, it was not even a hazardous materials incident,” Cain said in a telephone interview this week...
                            How did police determine if H2S crossed a property boundary? The article below totally contradicts the belief that the gas respected property boundaries and implies that Texas Brine believed that the gas was breathed in by Bayou Corne residents:

                            http://www.wafb.com/story/20161632/d...siana-sinkhole
                            DEQ monitors air at homes near giant Louisiana sinkhole
                            Posted: Nov 21, 2012 3:10 PM PST Updated: Nov 22, 2012 11:24 AM PST
                            By Cheryl Mercedes

                            BAYOU CORNE, LA (WAFB) -

                            Flaring at the Bayou Corne sinkhole site has stopped indefinitely at one well site. Texas Brine, the company that owns the property, submitted a proposal to the state Wednesday afternoon asking permission to cap one well for good after dangerous gases were detected.

                            Henry Welch, a resident, said he smelled a rotten egg odor outside his home in Bayou Corne on Monday. Texas Brine later confirmed it was hydrogen sulfide gas found in a vent well near the now eight-acre sinkhole. ...
                            Last edited by Emily; November 29, 2012, 07:34 PM. Reason: Clarified sentence structure.
                            _____________________________________________

                            Ask Congress to Investigate COVID Origins and Government Response to Pandemic.

                            i love myself. the quietest. simplest. most powerful. revolution ever. ---- nayyirah waheed

                            "...there’s an obvious contest that’s happening between different sectors of the colonial ruling class in this country. And they would, if they could, lump us into their beef, their struggle." ---- Omali Yeshitela, African People’s Socialist Party

                            (My posts are not intended as advice or professional assessments of any kind.)
                            Never forget Excalibur.

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                            • Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

                              Another one of those "burps" occurred earlier that week. Texas Brine reported it in their Nov 21 update:

                              2. Debris, apparently from the bottom of the sinkhole, rose to the surface accompanied by a brief period of water movement. That debris is being cleared from the surface. There have been no other observable changes to the sinkhole shape or size.
                              In the Nov 30 update, TB noted:
                              A total depth measurement taken yesterday revealed that the floor of the cavern has risen 11 feet since last measured on November 15. The depth is now 4,231 feet beneath the surface.
                              *******************

                              From the Assumption Parish, TB is also getting a fine:

                              For Immediate Release

                              Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012

                              Office of Conservation Fines Texas Brine $100,000 for Failure to Comply With Directives Company may face further penalties and fines for failure to act immediately on Conservation orders

                              BATON ROUGE ? Louisiana Commissioner of Conservation James Welsh announced today that his Office has fined Texas Brine LLC $100,000 for failure to comply with several of the orders included in his November 12 directive to the company.

                              Welsh on Nov. 12 gave Texas Brine new instructions in an amendment to the already existing Declaration of Emergency and Directive, intended to further the ongoing efforts to protect public safety and the environment in the area, abate the impacts of natural gas that migrated to the aquifer due to the failure of Texas Brine?s cavern, and prevent the release of crude oil from the sinkhole created when the company?s cavern wall collapsed.

                              Texas Brine has been assessed civil penalties of:

                              ? $80,000 for failure to initiate installation of a containment system around the sinkhole to further prevent release of contaminants into nearby waterways by Nov. 16

                              ? $10,000 for failure to install in-home monitors to detect possible natural gas accumulations and upgraded home ventilation for all slab-foundation immediately upon gaining permission from property owners

                              ? $10,000 for failure to begin installation of two new observation/vent wells by Nov. 27

                              ?We cannot and will not tolerate delays or excuses in the effort to protect public safety and the environment, especially when the people of Bayou Corne still cannot feel comfortable returning to their own homes,? Welsh said. ?Texas Brine needs to accept its civic responsibility, react quickly and act with urgency to protect the citizens and environment of the Bayou Corne area. We will not stand unwarranted delays in the effort to return the lives of the people of this community to normal.?

                              Welsh?s notice to Texas Brine on the fines requires immediate payment of the civil penalties and compliance with all provisions of the Nov. 12 directive, and includes the warning that additional actions, including further fines, can be taken if the company continues its failure to comply with the Office of Conservation?s directions.
                              The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

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                              • Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

                                http://news.yahoo.com/company-fined-...--finance.html
                                Company fined over sinkhole says it's trying
                                Associated Press ? Mon, Dec 3, 2012

                                BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) ? Owners of a failed brine storage cavern are doing their best to comply with a state order to quickly resolve problems created by an eight-acre sinkhole in Assumption Parish, spokesman Sonny Cranch said Sunday.

                                He said Texas Brine Co. lawyers will review a $100,000 fine imposed Saturday by state Conservation Commissioner James Welsh, who said the company hasn't complied with his Nov. 12 order to speed work.

                                "We are working as fast as we can to comply with the order," Cranch said in a phone interview.
                                [snip]
                                Cranch said figuring out how to permanently block the sinkhole from other waterways is complex in a swamp, especially since officials don't yet know how big the sinkhole will get. In the meantime, crews move the boom constantly and skimming continues to make sure oil doesn't get into any waterways, he said.

                                "It is being controlled," Cranch said...
                                _____________________________________________

                                Ask Congress to Investigate COVID Origins and Government Response to Pandemic.

                                i love myself. the quietest. simplest. most powerful. revolution ever. ---- nayyirah waheed

                                "...there’s an obvious contest that’s happening between different sectors of the colonial ruling class in this country. And they would, if they could, lump us into their beef, their struggle." ---- Omali Yeshitela, African People’s Socialist Party

                                (My posts are not intended as advice or professional assessments of any kind.)
                                Never forget Excalibur.

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