Oil and gas well northeast of Greeley still releasing; containment, evacuations ongoing
The 'well control incident' began at about 5:50 p.m. on Sunday as Galeton Fire Protection District crews responded to an oil and gas facility south of Weld County Road 74. On Monday, the Weld County government said the well was 'releasing primarily water with some oil and gas.'
Original reporting: 1 injured after incident at northern Colorado oil and gas facility, evacuations still in place
Weld County said that Galeton Elementary School is expected to remain closed through at least the end of the day on Thursday. Residents within a half-mile of the well pad are still under temporary evacuation orders.
On Tuesday, response work continued at the well site. Weld County said that on Monday, crews were able to:
Successfully turn off all potential ignition sources
Conduct air monitoring on and around the well site, as well as in the evacuation zone
Levels were found to be below levels of concern for public health
Recover and remove liquids from the site
Those actions were followed up with crews securing the site on Tuesday and staging equipment that will be used to stop the release from the well. Weld County said that the containment and removal of liquids is ongoing at the site.
Air monitoring also continued Tuesday, and wildlife biologists are monitoring a Bald eagle nest located just over a mile and a half southeast of the well pad. The biologists have also been surveying the area within a mile of the pad for any other raptor nests.
'Our priority remains the safety and security of our neighbors, our workers, and the environment,' Weld County said Tuesday.
Anyone with livestock is directed to contact their veterinarian to evaluate and monitor the animals. Questions or requests for help boarding or relocating livestock can be directed to 970-342-0135. A Joint Information Center Community Information Line has been set up at 970-400-4264. There is also an informational website available here.
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