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Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012-2015

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  • #61
    Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

    The Advocate does good reporting... a bit more from their link:

    Pro-Tech was drilling monitoring wells to sample for natural gas north of La. 70 between Bayou Corne and the sinkhole when it hit gas pockets at less than 50 feet.

    Walker-Hill Environmental, which was hired to drill an observational water well, was working in the same area but south of La. 70 when it hit gas Friday at 90 feet.

    Earlier, Texas Brine hit gas with its boring equipment at 120 feet, at the top of the aquifer, and again inside the salt dome caprock at 420 feet...

    *****************************

    Snips from the latest Assumption update:
    Sept 14

    ? 1 alert letter (dated 9/13/2012) was released to the parish during this operational period. Findings- DHH recommends immediate remediation of industrial water wells with high levels of methane.
    ? USGS reported limited seismic activity since 4 September 2012 --- averaging one event per day
    ? USGS confirms no seismic activity in the area of the butane caverns

    **********************

    It seems like everything about this is confusing; starting with Chevron's actions. It was reported Here
    on 8-8 that Chevron had started removing natural gas out of its NS1 cavern but I haven't found any updates that support that. On 8-17, the DNR Report shows the cavern was blocked and Chevron is working on staging equipment and supplies to begin water injection into the cavern. In the 9-19 report, they still continuing to prepare for water injection. However, in the Assumption update, they state that Chevron is in the process of mobilizing equipment and reconfiguring their system in order to move natural gas out of their cavern by the injection of water. So now I'm wondering if they have moved the gas out or not.

    Reuters Reported on 8-8 that Chevron Corp's subsidiary Bridgeline Holdings has declared a force majeure on its natural gas storage cavern near Napleonville, Louisiana, due to seismic activity, it said in a company filing on Tuesday.

    ************************

    Crosstex activity with its 2 caverns is interesting. When they emptied Well 1, they reported doing so at a rate of ~700bph, according to the DNR reports. They state that the transfer of butane from Well 2 to Well 1 began on 8-20; current status was: Well #1 ? 5837 barrels of normal butane and Well #2 ? 945,919 bbls of normal butane. The last report, 9-10, shows they still have 856,348 barrels in Well 2. On 9-9 and 9-10, for whatever reason, they began removing butane from Well 1 and have left Well 2 idle for 4 days.

    ********************

    My sympathy goes to all the people who are having to live in limbo; hopefully, things will go well and they will have answers sooner than later.
    The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

    Comment


    • #62
      Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

      The Advocate does good reporting
      I agree. It's been refreshing to see their excellent journalism. I think it's helped to get as many people out of immediate danger as possible. They have a new article reporting that the sharp, short period tremors have just begun again. This is in addition to the long period tremors that began again on August 6th and are still ongoing.

      The sharp tremors are strong enough to wake people up at night. There's an interview with a University of Memphis earthquake scientist and he says he's never seen such a combination of tremor patterns coming from the same location at the same time before.

      http://theadvocate.com/home/3912952-...rn-by-sinkhole
      Tremors return by sinkhole
      By David J. Mitchell

      River Parishes bureau
      September 17, 2012

      GONZALES ? The sharp earth tremors that rattled the Bayou Corne community during the summer and presaged the emergence last month of a large sinkhole in Assumption Parish have returned, a University of Memphis scientist said...
      _____________________________________________

      Ask Congress to Investigate COVID Origins and Government Response to Pandemic.

      i love myself. the quietest. simplest. most powerful. revolution ever. ---- nayyirah waheed

      "...there’s an obvious contest that’s happening between different sectors of the colonial ruling class in this country. And they would, if they could, lump us into their beef, their struggle." ---- Omali Yeshitela, African People’s Socialist Party

      (My posts are not intended as advice or professional assessments of any kind.)
      Never forget Excalibur.

      Comment


      • #63
        Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

        Horton threw out the "speculation" that the long-period tremors could be related something connected with the natural gas.

        The Sunday Assumption Parish Update reported that they had to cement that sonic-drilled well due to the gas pushing mud and water to the surface. I'm curious what the pressure was...

        ***********************

        The Hutchinson Kansas Explosion PDF you posted had this good pic. It probably doesn't apply to this situation but I thought it is helpful in understanding how these salt domes are laid out.

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        And also this one: theory 2 that the gas was moving updip through a blanket of sedimentary layer:

        Click image for larger version

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        Actually, they had 6 theories regarding how the gas moved.
        1. It was not geological (due to the hole in the pipe?)
        2. Gas is moving updip
        3. Moving through a sedimentary conduit (a channel?)
        4. Moving along a dolomite facies change
        5. Moving through a fractured dolomite
        6. Moving along a stress-induced fracture system.

        I found this story in Hutchnews about the explosions; it was quite a mess before it was over. They reported approximately 143 billion cubic feet of gas escaped from a leak in the S-1 cavern. I wonder where all of that gas came from; in the pic, it looks like the Yaggy gas storage field has a capacity of 3.2 billion cubic feet and S1 had a capacity of 60 million cubic feet.

        A geyser erupted on Hutchinson's east side. The nearby railroad was shut down. And a sinkhole appeared. ...those events shook Hutchinson between 10:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 17, 2001.

        Sadly, the utility company noted a pressure drop on Jan. 14 but did not notify Hutchinson until Jan 18.

        Old brine wells, the legacy of salt-solution mining, dotted Hutchinson, including one beneath the Hahn home. Gas was rising up through those wells,
        The PDF shows a pic of the blown-up home site with an unplugged well.
        The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

        Comment


        • #64
          Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

          People still living in the evacuation zone got a warning yesterday to prepare for the start of drilling. There's a video interview that shows that one resident interprets the warning as indicating that it is time to evacuate and he is doing so, removing valued personal possessions from the home. Others, (including a man using a wheelchair), were not planning to leave yet, but are concerned:

          http://www.nbc33tv.com/news/your-sto...repare-for-sta
          Residents prepare for start of drilling toward top of brine cavern
          Kris Cusanza Reporter
          POSTED: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 - 8:00pm
          UPDATED: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 - 8:04pm
          http://theadvocate.com/home/3929355-...pe-for-answers
          Residents hope for answers
          Community meeting set to discuss sinkhole updates
          By Bret H. McCormick
          River Parishes bureau


          September 19, 2012

          A Bayou Corne community activist is hopeful that representatives from several state and parish agencies will attend a community meeting on Thursday and provide him and others the answers about northern Assumption Parish?s giant sinkhole they so desperately seek...
          Here's another article containing a video interview with two evacuated residents communicating concerns. They say it has been 3 weeks since a public meeting was held. They say that Texas Brine has agreed to be at the proposed meeting this Thursday, but there is no confirmation from state or parish officials about their attendance:

          http://www.nbc33tv.com/news/your-sto...-residents-ups
          Bayou Corne residents upset over sinkhole response call for town hall meeting
          David Lippman Reporter
          POSTED: Monday, September 17, 2012 - 9:36pm
          UPDATED: Monday, September 17, 2012 - 9:49pm
          _____________________________________________

          Ask Congress to Investigate COVID Origins and Government Response to Pandemic.

          i love myself. the quietest. simplest. most powerful. revolution ever. ---- nayyirah waheed

          "...there’s an obvious contest that’s happening between different sectors of the colonial ruling class in this country. And they would, if they could, lump us into their beef, their struggle." ---- Omali Yeshitela, African People’s Socialist Party

          (My posts are not intended as advice or professional assessments of any kind.)
          Never forget Excalibur.

          Comment


          • #65
            Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

            [Source: Louisiana Department of Health, full page: (LINK).]

            DHH Response to Bayou Corne Incident

            Wednesday, September 19, 2012 | Contact: Bureau of Media & Communications (225) 342-1532



            The Department of Health and Hospitals' Office of Public Health, Section of Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology has been participating in meetings with Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) along with other State and local responding agencies to address the Bayou Corne incident.

            DHH's main role has been reviewing and analyzing environmental sample data as provided by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality for any findings that would indicate a potential public health risk. Below are letters State Epidemiologist Dr. Raoult Ratard has sent to Assumption Parish government indicating the results of the sample analysis conducted to date.

            DHH will continue participating in meetings with GOHSEP and Assumption Parish and will be available to address any potential public health concerns.



            Related Items
            -
            ------

            Comment


            • #66
              Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

              Regarding the concerns about the 48 hour drilling notice, I just noticed that the parish blog had this posted on the 19th:

              http://assumptionla.wordpress.com/20...ling-update-2/
              NOTE: Risk factors regarding cavern entry are not heightened. Residents have requested since the onset of this operation that they be notified 48 hours in advance of entry. Notifications and press releases were disseminated in honor to fulfill this request and inform all of up-to-date operations, here in Bayou Corne.
              Both the parish blog and The Advocate have reported that the sinkhole opening is growing larger, (though that doesn't necessarily mean overall volume is increasing.)

              Latest updates on drilling are here:
              http://assumptionla.wordpress.com/
              _____________________________________________

              Ask Congress to Investigate COVID Origins and Government Response to Pandemic.

              i love myself. the quietest. simplest. most powerful. revolution ever. ---- nayyirah waheed

              "...there’s an obvious contest that’s happening between different sectors of the colonial ruling class in this country. And they would, if they could, lump us into their beef, their struggle." ---- Omali Yeshitela, African People’s Socialist Party

              (My posts are not intended as advice or professional assessments of any kind.)
              Never forget Excalibur.

              Comment


              • #67
                Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

                Lean has a new article giving the results of the ongoing sampling; they also noted these dates on the sinkhole growth:

                September 20, 2012: Approximately 25' of embankment on the east side fell into the sinkhole.

                September 18, 2012: Texas Brine reported a slough-in of approximately 200' of embankment at the sinkhole.

                September 17, 2012: Texas Brine reported a 20' x 20' growth of the sinkhole.

                It also shows a bubble site map, which is newer than the other one I posted but it doesn't show the recent sites. According to the last report I saw, there are now 20 sites.

                Here's the map; please visit the LEAN site to read the article and get the map link. The map is interactive and has clickable pics at each bubble site. There is one site NW of the town that is not on my map screenshot.


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                The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

                Comment


                • #68
                  Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

                  As I was reading some of the older reports, I found one discussing the earlier seismic activity: USGS talking points for August 7 meeting in Pierre Part, Louisiana. Included in it is a map of the earthquake activity; here's a screen cap:

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                  Earthquakes epicenters (white stars) between 7/24 and 8/02. The red pins are location of LPG storage cavity, orange pins are locations of gas storage cavities, yellow pins are location of brine cavity, and green pins are salt water disposal wells. The sinkhole is located at the magenta-colored circle, with the Geiser#3 cavity just to the south of it (yellow circle beneath earthquake symbols).


                  ****************************

                  Then, there is this Report on the comparison of the gas from the Chevron NS1 cavern to a gas sample taken from one of the bubble sites. The author gives a good explanation of the difference between biogenic and thermogenic gas and concludes that 1.) the bayou sample is not biogenic and is dominated by thermogenic gas & 2.) the 2 samples are isotopically and compositionally distinct from each other.

                  The NS1 cavern remains blocked and the wellhead pressure appears to be consistently stable, according to their reports.

                  Arcadian was notified of a bubble site near one of their pipelines. The testing they did for gas leaks in their pipelines appeared to have no effect on the bubbling.

                  It seems like the officials would have a good idea where this gas is coming from.
                  The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

                  Comment


                  • #69
                    Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

                    Here is the link to the seismic activity at each of the monitors they have placed in the area.

                    Here is the link to this map of the monitoring sites:

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                    ******************

                    The DNR has finally published a good map showing the locations of all the caverns, locations of the water wells they have tested and all of the bubble site locations. The DNR portal to all of the sinkhole information can be found here. At the bottom of the page: "View all Bayou Corne Updates."

                    Test results on 11 of the wells shows methane concentrations of 9,550 to 26.600 ug/l.

                    From an older Examiner article:
                    While removing the outer casing, at 415,′ they encountered a pocket of gas that blew grout and mud out of the casing. ?A gauge was placed at the well head which read 180 pounds of pressure,? parish officials reported, according to the company?s information.
                    I'm curious if that is considered a lot of pressure and ug/l.
                    The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

                    Comment


                    • #70
                      Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

                      Short blog post:

                      At 8:45 p.m. the cavern has been entered.

                      Drilling has entered the cavern and no gas was encountered. They will drill down 80 additional feet to make sure there are no obstructions and then back out to the cavern?s top to begin wire line surveying, which will take place for the next 48 hours.



                      From the Advocate's latest article
                      He said the first planned operation will be a seismic test on the cavern. But he also said entry into the cavern itself could provide early indications about cavern conditions.

                      For instance, if the drilling mud stops returning the surface and falls downward in the cavern, this could indicate the salt cavern has lost its brine, Boudreaux said.
                      There was no mention in the blog about drilling mud so we don't know if the cavern has lost its brine or not.
                      The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

                      Comment


                      • #71
                        Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

                        9:05 a.m. Morning Update
                        September 23, 2012

                        As previously posted, the cavern was entered at approximately 8:45 last night. At that time, no gas was encountered. At 10:00 p.m. last night, they finished drilling the additional 80′ and no obstructions or gas were encountered.

                        At 11:00 p..m. gas started to flow from the cavern at 950 psi. DEQ did obtain samples of this gas as well as samples of the cavern fluid. They are currently flaring the gas off.

                        As previously posted, the cavern was entered at approximately 8:45 last night. At that time, no gas was encountered. At 10:00 p.m. last night, they finished drilling the additional 80′ and no…
                        The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

                        Comment


                        • #72
                          Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

                          Updates are moving pretty fast; here are 2 more:

                          11:00 a.m. Current Activities @ Drilling Site
                          September 23, 2012


                          They have shut in and ceased the flaring operations at the drill site to pull the drill stem out of the hole. Due to pressure, they expect that to take until late this afternoon (dark) to complete. After that is complete, they will begin caliper logging (wireline surveying*) of formation salt as well as cement bond inside the casing. If these activities go according to schedule, they will then enter with a sonar tool to begin the first tests required of the cavern. At this time, it is not know if the cavern has been compromised ? these tests will provide initial data to determine the integrity of the cavern.

                          *What is wireline surveying?
                          Wireline surveys determine physical properties in and beyond the wall of a borehole by devices attached to a cable, or wireline. Subsurface geologic conditions and engineering characteristics can be derived directly or indirectly from the wide variety of measurable properties available by wireline surveying.

                          11:30 a.m. Bubbling Monitoring
                          September 23, 2012


                          Monitoring of the bubbling in the waterways in Bayou Corne and Grand Bayou has been conducted (as is daily) and there were no changes observed at any of the sites.

                          The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

                          Comment


                          • #73
                            Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

                            1:00 p.m. Update
                            September 24, 2012


                            We have been advised by Texas Brine that caliper logging has begun and they hope to begin sonar testing later this afternoon. The time range on which we can expect results is unknown at this time.



                            *********************

                            According to this vcstar article, Texas Brine wasn't surprised by the gas when they penetrated the cavern roof:

                            He (Cranch) said gas had been expected. "In this particular brine cavern, throughout its production life, every two weeks it would build up a pressure of about 900 pounds per square inch," he said.

                            "This was just gas that would escape form the sodium chloride as it was being mined," Cranch said. "That would be vented every two weeks or so. Twenty minutes - boom - it would be gone."
                            **********************

                            Four new flyovers have been posted at YouTube. Here are several screen caps for those who can't watch videos, comparing the sinkhole in the beginning to now. The first pic is from 8.12, second is from 8.24 and the last three are from 9.24.

                            What's with the white trees in the last pic? Is the brine in the sinkhole killing them?

                            8.12.2012

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                            8.24.2012

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                            9.24.2012

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                            9.24.2012

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                            9.24.2012

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                            The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

                            Comment


                            • #74
                              Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

                              New Advocate article

                              A tool used to measure the depth of the underground cavern found its floor is 1,300 feet shallower than when it was abandoned in mid 2011, indicating ?some type of dense material has fallen to the bottom of the cavern,? Texas Brine officials said in a statement.
                              ...
                              ?Texas Brine and the experts who have reviewed the available data believe that the damage to brine cavern No. 3 originated with regional-scale seismic activity,? the statement says.
                              An earlier Advocate article stated the cavern starts 3,400 feet under the earth and is about 310 feet at its widest at the bottom at about 5,650 feet deep. That makes the cavern itself about 2250 feet deep; now more than half full of "some type of dense material."

                              I'll repost this drawing of it for reference

                              Click image for larger version

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                              The salvage of human life ought to be placed above barter and exchange ~ Louis Harris, 1918

                              Comment


                              • #75
                                Re: Louisiana: Assumption Parish Bayou Corne Sinkhole 2012

                                Texas Brine blames tremors for cavern failure

                                Associated Press
                                Posted on September 26, 2012 at 5:58 AM

                                NAPOLEONVILLE, La. (AP) ? Officials say tremors recorded in Assumption Parish since late May could be why a brine cavern encased within the Napoleonville salt dome failed and caused a massive sinkhole.

                                Texas Brine Co. spokesman Sonny Cranch said Tuesday a tool used to measure the depth of the cavern bottomed out 1,300 feet higher than anticipated. Cranch said the presence of this material indicates the cavern failed.

                                Cranch said seismic activity recorded near the area since late May could have caused the cavern's failure.

                                More...
                                "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                                -Nelson Mandela

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