FOX CREEK, Alta. – Workers in northwestern Alberta were still fighting Thursday to control a blowout at a well that has been venting natural gas and small amounts of a toxic chemical.
A spokesman for well owner Encana said crews were opening a second route to the site, located 18 kilometres from the community of Fox Creek.
Jay Averill said that would give crews more room to work and let them onto the site more efficiently.
Averill said monitoring data showed low levels of poisonous hydrogen sulphide have been released since the well blew Monday, but they are well beneath those that would pose a health risk.
READ MORE: Natural gas well still spewing, but no health threat: Alberta energy regulator
He says the well passes through a zone containing the toxin, but is intended to draw gas from a zone free of it.
The province’s energy regulator says waterways or wildlife have not been affected.
The company is providing updates on its website.
On Friday, the company told Global News there were no major changes to the status of the well incident.
The update on the website said progress had been made on the second entrance to the well and on preparing the “well pad for the well control operation.”
Encana said it would continue to provide updates until it regains control of the well.
With files from Global News
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