PUEBLO, Colo.—State oil and gas regulators are looking for the source of methane gas leaking into residential water wells after an explosion.
Petroglyph Inc. agreed to shut down gas wells near the River Ridge Ranch housing development during the investigation, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission said.
Petroglyph will also replug a well that was shut down in 1972 in case it is the source of the methane leak, said Peter Gintautas, environmental protection specialist for the commission.
The commission began testing water wells in the development after an explosion in June blew the roof off a well house. Tests of 37 water wells in the development found significant amounts of methane in 11, authorities said.
“It could take a few tries before we get a handle on what’s going on,” Gintautas said.
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Information from: The Pueblo Chieftain,
