Aggrostats

November 18, 2009

Gas Well Incident in DeSoto Parish

Louisiana State Police responded to a natural gas well incident in DeSoto Parish.

On November 18, 2009 at about 11:10 am, the Louisiana State Police Hazardous Materials Unit responded to a gas well incident that claimed the life of one man and injured another. The incident occurred approximately three miles east of Grand Cane at the Chesapeake’s Sumner natural gas well.

One man working near the well was killed and another injured as a result of the well “blow out”. The identities of the workers will be released by the appropriate agency pending notifications of the families.

At least six firemen from the DeSoto Parish Fire Department were transported to an area hospital for monitoring after entering the affected area.

Louisiana State Police Troopers and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality are monitoring air quality in the area and Chesapeake Energy Cooperation has crews at the site to restore control to the well. Approximately 15 residences have been evacuated as a precaution. As the scene is rendered safe, those families will be able to contact the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office to arrange an escort to their homes to retrieve medication, tend to livestock and pets, etc, on a case-by-case basis.

A portion of LA 3015 near the scene remains closed to traffic as air quality is monitored. It is unknown at this time how long it will take to render the area safe.

Contact Information,

Trooper First Class Mark Dennis
Louisiana State Police
Troop F Public Affairs
Office: (318) 345-2810