Investigators in downtown Wheatley have found what appears to be a petroleum well, but municipal officials say there is no risk to the community from this finding at this time.
Municipal officials said the investigative team found what's believed to be a wooden-cased petroleum well underneath the cement floor at 17 Talbot Road East.
They noted no hydrogen sulfide gas has been detected, but small amounts (300 parts per million) of methane can be detected. Hydrogen sulfide gas caused the explosion in downtown Wheatley in August 2021.
"The team is assessing next steps and will be following the operational plan," the municipality said in a news release. "The venting hood will be placed over the well when practical as an extra precaution."
A conductor pipe will now be installed over the well and it will be brought back to the surface, according to the municipality.
The municipality also said Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue and Chatham-Kent paramedics remain on site at all times to ensure the safety of the site and the surrounding community.
The municipality is also reporting that the final phase of investigation in downtown Wheatley is nearing completion, adding 75 per cent of the affected properties have been investigated.
Officials said work will continue over the next few days between 15 Talbot Road East and 23 Talbot Road East.
They noted no active gas wells have been found to date. However, excavating crews uncovered a historic brick structure on Wednesday with a 2 inch pipe in the middle immediately beneath the cement slab of 15 Talbot Road E. and no natural gas was detected in the hole or pipe.
"Equipment was mobilized to evaluate the depth and type of well. On September 19, further excavation revealed the depth to be approximately 4 meters below grade, and native soil was located at this depth indicating that no deep well is present."
The municipality said backfilling of the area will continue and the excavation will continue when the backfilling is competed.
The investigation work will continue this week, said the municipality, and should anything substantial be found, work will continue after that to address any issue present.