Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings

SoCalGas Ordered to Permanently Close Leaking Well

By Katie Mohr | January 26, 2016

Share

Residents hold signs during a hearing over a gas leak at the Southern California Gas Company’s Aliso Canyon Storage Facility near Porter Ranch, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

The Southern California Gas Company has been ordered to permanently shut down its well that’s been spewing natural gas in the Los Angeles area since October.

Seven failed attempts to plug the leak have weakened the well and increased the chance of a potential blowout, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District’s hearing board issued the closure order on Saturday, as well as outlined several other requirements, including immediate orders to minimize leaking gas, monitor the leaking well with infrared cameras and develop an “enhanced” detection and reporting program.

Protestors wearing gas masks attend a hearing over a gas leak at the southern California Gas Company’s Aliso Canyon Storage Facility near the Porter Ranch section of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

While SoCalGas works to plug the leak by drilling a relief well — which is expected to take until late February — the company must fund an independent study to monitor the health of the nearby Porter Ranch neighborhood’s residents.

“[The order] will require the utility to thoroughly inspect all other wells at its Aliso Canyon storage facility to help prevent another major leak in the future,” said Barry Wallerstein, the group’s executive officer.

The leak — which has so far cost SoCalGas upward of $50 million — is blamed for numerous reports of nosebleeds, headaches and nausea in the area. Air quality tests even found a known carcinogen (benzene) at double its normal level.

Levels of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, were up to 50 parts per million in area, the Los Angeles Times reported. “This is probably 20 times bigger than anything else we’ve measured,” said Stephen Conley, pilot of the pollution-detecting airplane and scientist at the University of California, Davis.

The Associated Press reports that 3,000 families have been displaced so far, paid for by SoCalGas, and as many as 3,000 more might still be forced to relocate.

The hearing board will review SoCalGas’ progress on Feb. 20, but currently, the order extends through Jan. 31, 2017.

Do you think SoCalGas is doing enough to mitigate the leak’s damages? Comment below or tweet me@MNetKatie.


Filed Under: Industry regulations

 

Related Articles Read More >

ids-industrial-camera-manufacturer.sustainability-3
IDS focuses on sustainability in shipping
Part 5: Motion control + MQTT, OPC-UA, and other protocols for cloud services
Facebook CEO Zuckerberg Calls for More Outside Regulation
Musk’s Boring Company Calls it Quits on LA Tunnel, Instead Focuses on Hyperloop

DESIGN GUIDE LIBRARY

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Renishaw next-generation FORTiS™ enclosed linear encoders offer enhanced metrology and reliability for machine tools
  • WAGO’s smartDESIGNER Online Provides Seamless Progression for Projects
  • Epoxy Certified for UL 1203 Standard
  • The Importance of Industrial Cable Resistance to Chemicals and Oils
  • Optimize, streamline and increase production capacity with pallet-handling conveyor systems
  • Global supply needs drive increased manufacturing footprint development

Design World Podcasts

June 12, 2022
How to avoid over engineering a part
See More >
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP AWARDS

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings