Porter Ranch Methane Gas Leak Stopped

Methane massive leak coming from gas well in Los Angeles district is now "under control", says gas managing company SoCalGas. Resulting from a drilling of a borehole, drilled into the earth to a depth of more than 2.6km, the company managed to reach the bottom of the well where "liquids and mud" were injected "to cut off the flow of gas". The leak was temporarily sealed off:"Gaz is no longer escaping from the well", assured SoCalGas Spokesperson Chris Gilbride.

Next step consists in "injecting concrete" in the next couple of days so the well will be definitely plugged. Once it is dry, California authorities are to ensure that the well is close.

The leak, was detected in October, is an environmental disaster for methane as a greenhouse gas is approximately 80 times more harmful for the ozone layer than carbon dioxide.

Odourless, spewing gases are added to it so it can be identified in the event of leaking. These gases result in causing headache, nose bleeding, nausea. 4 500 families from Porter Ranch district, where the well is located, had to move away.

Last week, California state attorney Kamala Harris has started proceedings, accusing the against SoCalGas accusing the company of having violated health and safety California law, and taking too much time to inform the authorities. Adding to this complaint, the other prosecutions initiated by the city and the County of Los Angeles, and by many local people.