Well Flow Plugged in Gulf of Mexico

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the U.S. Coast Guard confirmed this morning that the leaking natural gas well 55 miles offshore Louisiana has bridged over and the gas flow stopped.

The fire has decreased to a small flame fueled by residual gas at the top of the well. Bridging is a well condition where small pieces of sediment and sand flow into the well path and restrict and ultimately stop the flow.

Walter Oil and Gas Corporation experienced a loss of control of Well A-3 at approximately 8:45 a.m. July 23 on an unmanned platform at South Timbalier Block 220 while doing completion work on the sidetrack well to prepare the well for production.

Both BSEE and Coast Guard have conducted overflights to visually confirm. BSEE and the Coast Guard will continue overseeing response efforts until the event has come to a complete and safe resolution which includes securing the well.