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Nicor unsure why leak happened
By Greg Cima
gcima@pantagraph.com
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LEXINGTON — Workers closed a roaring natural gas leak Wednesday morning, about 24 hours after maintenance to a faulty valve led to the leak. | Updated photo gallery

Nicor employees injected about 8,000 gallons of briny water into the well to force the gas back down and then plugged the line while the valve was repaired, said company spokesman Bernard Anderson.

The well, in a harvested cornfield just west of Interstate 55 and southwest of Lexington, began releasing natural gas at a pressure of about 1,000 pounds per square inch about 10 a.m. Tuesday. The repairs were finished about 9:25 a.m. Wednesday, he said.

Nicor officials chose not to attempt the repairs Tuesday night, despite having lighting available at the well, Anderson said.

“Even though you have lighting, you’ve got a lot of shadows cast,” Anderson said. “And they wanted to make sure that everybody — you know, our employees — remained safe.”

Lexington Fire Chief Jim Berry said he was at the well for 24 hours and five minutes because of the leak. Lexington firefighters arrived at the well about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, and tanker trucks from his and other area fire departments and semitrailer tankers were later used to carry to the well the water mixed with calcium chloride, which makes the water heavier, he said.

Anderson said about 72,000 gallons of the solution was prepared in case it was needed.

The well is one of 35 in the Lexington area used to store about 9 billion cubic feet of natural gas, Anderson said. During late spring and throughout the summer, gas is pumped into openings in the rock more than 4,000 feet below the surface and stored for later use, he said.

Though Anderson said a large amount of gas was lost, it is little compared with the amount stored at the site. The amount of natural gas lost wasn’t immediately known, Anderson said.

And he said consumers won’t be affected by the leak.

Anderson previously noted the saltwater would not affect drinking water supplies because the gas well was far deeper than water wells, which typically run about 500 feet deep.

For now, company officials are trying to answer their own questions about what happened.

“Now what they’re looking at is why did this occur, how did this occur, how can we avoid this from occurring again and is there anything we can do better at this point,” Anderson said.

Anderson said the incident is the first of its kind in the 27 years he has worked for Nicor. He hopes it will not happen again, he said, “But if it does, this is how we’ll handle it.”

Flushing the equipment

Pontiac Fire Chief Dennis McDugle said his department flushed a tanker used to haul the saltwater to the wellhead Tuesday night and was flushing it again Wednesday afternoon. He said he is not familiar with effects of saltwater on the truck, but “I wouldn’t want to haul it all the time.”

But the chief noted his trucks do pump water from ponds, creeks, rivers and anywhere else they can get water in rural areas, so the water carried in the trucks isn’t always clean.

Berry said he is not concerned about the effect of the saltwater on his truck, though it and the fire hoses used have been flushed.

At least 13 fire departments were called to assist Lexington’s fire department during the leak, Berry said. He said a concerted effort with those departments and Nicor mitigated the problems and avoided catastrophe.

“It had the potential to be very dangerous,” Berry said. “It turned out pretty well.”

Jill M. Watson, spokeswoman for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, said her agency did not respond to the gas leak and natural gas releases. But she said EPA officials would respond if there was some environmental impact or a request from first responders.

Take a look
Firefighters cleaned up equipment after the gas well leak was finally controlled about 9 a.m., Wednesday, October 17, 2007. (Pantagraph, David Proeber)
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Reader comments on this story - 60 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

to all wrote on Oct 18, 2007 11:12 PM:

" Most of you are missing the big picture This could have been a large disaster on many different scales I am shocked that most of you are worried about your gas bill , or if your towns firetrucks are damaged, or your well is going dry,or that you think that lexington is a bad place to live. The thing that we should be thankful for is that nobody was hurt or killed. All the firemen and ems workers are VOLUNTEER and even though they wasnt getting paid they went out their risking their lives to help defuse this problem. I think alot of you need to grow up and since you have nothing better to do besides complain on this topic maybe you should join your local fire depts and lend a hand when someone needs help . I am a fireman that was out there and i spent all that time away from my family to help protect the public that i love and i am not complaining. If it happened again i would do the same thing just because thats what we do "

to wally wrote on Oct 18, 2007 10:53 PM:

" wally i think your being a little hard on the beaver. your problem has nothing to do with the deal in lexington Stevie Wonder can see that and he is blind "

To Anita, wrote on Oct 18, 2007 8:32 PM:

" With an attitude like that, then we are happy you are no longer a proud resident of Lexington!!! But geez that must really make you pretty old, how long ago was that the Tabard Inn????? "

Anita wrote on Oct 18, 2007 1:20 PM:

" Okay, the leak is fixed in Lexington and several people have said this town is mean and bad news. They are correct! The north side is considered not worthy to worry about so the fact this happened on the north side is amazing. I used to live in Lexington and moved because the school system is pitiful. I'm surprised they even recognized a leak! All-in-all, you are better off living anywhere but Lexington. Remember when people sued the pool and were beat up at the Tabard Inn? "

Wally wrote on Oct 18, 2007 10:53 AM:

" My well is 400 ft deep and I live between Carlock and Hudson. This happened VERY suddenly (overnight)...the well was just fine yesterday. I'm getting a reddish "mud" with suspended sandy grit. The timing of my problem is certainly suspect given NICOR pumped their brine water into the ground overnight. Thanks for your help....anyone else having this problem?? "

to wally wrote on Oct 18, 2007 10:30 AM:

" how do you know were you down there? or is your well just sucking the bottom? you may be sitting on a gold mine. the gas has entered your well tap it for gas.. its all yours now!! "

Geo wrote on Oct 18, 2007 10:27 AM:

" Wally: How deep is your "deep well" and how far is it from the Lexington well in this article? What do you mean by kicking up sediment? "

Wally wrote on Oct 18, 2007 9:39 AM:

" My deep well is now kicking up sediment in the water. Does anyone else in the area have this problem? "

It's good to know! wrote on Oct 18, 2007 8:57 AM:

" Ya's finally took Gas X!!! Har, har!! "

Go wrote on Oct 18, 2007 7:58 AM:

" Lexington Minutemen! "

a reader wrote on Oct 18, 2007 7:50 AM:

" how did it happen? why you eat a big plate of baked beans, followed by a couple bowls of chili and about 3 burritos... need I say more? "

ZOG wrote on Oct 17, 2007 9:42 PM:

" Oh crud! There goes the gas prices( home heating )." Low supply- high demand" thing all over again. "

to julie wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:49 PM:

" maybe youand your boy friend should have gone up and helped .maybe you could have found some friends there likely not tho. "

To: all you Julie posters wrote on Oct 17, 2007 6:39 PM:

" If you're a regular reader of Pantagraph comments, you'll recognize "Julie" as nothing more than a poster who tends to antagonize and provoke other posters like you to ask "What?!" And look, Julie's done it again... "

Flamingo wrote on Oct 17, 2007 3:55 PM:

" Why was there no mention in your article of Franklin Well Service out of Lawrenceville, Illinois? They brought equipment and manpower to assist in shutting down this gas leak. Those men spent a lot of hours at the site and should be commended. "

to tech? wrote on Oct 17, 2007 2:57 PM:

" in an earlier article they stated that adding chemicals to create the salt water made it heavier which created more resistence. as more is added, the gas can no longer leak out due to the water pressure above it. this also makes it so less water is used in fixing the issue. Hope that helps. "

Personen wrote on Oct 17, 2007 1:42 PM:

" Pro wind farmer being followed by a HERD of goats. "

tech ? wrote on Oct 17, 2007 12:55 PM:

" Why did they use saltwater? How does that stop a leak a gas leak? Does the salt react in some way to the gas? "

to: Downs taxpayer wrote on Oct 17, 2007 12:38 PM:

" find something better to complain about, and stop embarrassing the town of Downs with your lack of compassion, and not to mention, your ignorant comment!! Our Firemen did what they were called to do, save and protect lives. I didn't realize that there was a stipulation..... only save and protect as long as the trucks don't get ruined in the process... and only for eminent danger situations!! "

to People wrote on Oct 17, 2007 12:30 PM:

" Shouldn't that be... some of these people sound like the most unintelligent people I have ever HEARD (instead of seen)? Then again it is a message board so you are really reading instead of seeing or hearing these people. Thanks for fitting in. "

a reader wrote on Oct 17, 2007 11:47 AM:

" caused by State Farm? Don't you mean State Farm AND the Coliseum? "

People wrote on Oct 17, 2007 11:43 AM:

" First off, has anyone ever heard of SPELL CHECK??? By reading some of these comments, and smart remarks, some of these people sound like the most unintelligent people I have ever seen! "

It is the windmills wrote on Oct 17, 2007 9:54 AM:

" Did you see the picture with the windmills in the back...I am sure they had something to do with it!! "

To: Downs Taxpayer wrote on Oct 17, 2007 9:12 AM:

" I was a responding fireman last night. Nicor tells us that all departments are going to be reimbursed for fuel and for manpower time. The only departments that had any saltwater through it's pump was Gridley, Towanda, & Lexington, that I know of. I talked with Gridley and they were told before they even started pumping that Nicor would take care of it as far as a new pump. "

to colfax residents wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:51 AM:

" I believe the gas leak in Colfax was this past July the first week. I remember b/c my husband had just left the night before to go out of town. It started early in the day with a strange smell (I thought neighbors were burning trash or something) and went on until close to midnight. I know that several local firemen were called and so was Nicor. I know this b/c my neiborhood was one that got evacuated. I First seen the fire trucks across at the school were the apts are at, then it slowly came my way and I live over where the buses park. We were outside till after 11 pm and at that time were were let back in. I know that several blocks were affected but don't know how many but diffenetly more than 20 people. "

Nuclear powered Flying Saucer owner wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:43 AM:

" I agree with Pipeline Opponent ! Lets all ban together and stop driving, farming and shopping. "

Hellfighters wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:37 AM:

" John Wayne here! Where is Al gore when you need him the most? "

The Rev. wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:32 AM:

" All these posts and State Farm doesn't even get an honorable mention??? Surely someone out there believes this incident was caused by State Farm. "

To Julie: wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:28 AM:

" Harassed about what? What are you talking about? And what does that have to do with the gas leak? "

To: Julie wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:21 AM:

" Harassed by whom? Your statement makes no sense. Were the townspeople constantly at your house bugging you? no. "

No evacuations? wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:12 AM:

" Does anyone but me find it odd that there were no evacuations? There are a few farm houses right near here. Surely those people should be relocated, shouldn't they? "

Pipline Opponent wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:07 AM:

" The real story here, which the pantagraph and all the above posters have completly missed, is: What if this happens to the proposed Enbridge pipeline which will carry low grade crude oil at even higher pressures than this 1200psi gas. The gas blows harmlessly into the air, but an oil leak of this magnitude would be the biggest disaster ever to hit McLean County. We all must ban together to stop this new pipeline. "

Lexington resident wrote on Oct 17, 2007 8:07 AM:

" Four generations of my family have lived here and during that time the gas company has been very responsable. It is reassuring to learn that they are able to handle this problem. It is a comfort to see all the groups; gas company, fire departments, emergency groups, police, etc. working together to solve this problem. "

To Julie wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:59 AM:

" Harrassed about what - what does this have to do with the story? "

Pipeline Opponent wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:30 AM:

" If this leak would occur on the proposed Enbridge pipeline, which pumps low grade crude oil at pressures greater than this gas pressure of 1200psi, it would be the greatest disaster ever to hit McLean County. We must all ban together and stop this proposed Enbridge pipeline. "

To: Why wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:25 AM:

" Because it's called NEWS. THAT is why it was in the news. "

on scene ff wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:14 AM:

" just imagine a crater 3/4 of a mile wide think about that . the fire fighters and rescue personnel who have been up there more than put theier lifes in harms way to protect yours "

Bien wrote on Oct 17, 2007 7:10 AM:

" Am patiently waiting for one of the regular yahoo posters to chime in to suggest the authorities rotate all the windmills in the direction of the leak and turn them up on "high" to blow all the gas away. ;o) "

once again wrote on Oct 17, 2007 4:49 AM:

" all people have to do is type to show how much they don't know. Now I'll take a windmill to look at "

To Downs taxpayer wrote on Oct 17, 2007 12:44 AM:

" I am a firefighter that was involved in the pumping of the water. We kept our water seperate and when finished flushed the pump out with 500 gallons of clean country water. "

Gassy wrote on Oct 16, 2007 11:29 PM:

" So, who fed the town of Lexington beans for dinner? "

To Hello???? wrote on Oct 16, 2007 11:28 PM:

" Thank you for your comment. My husband has been out there since this has all happened trying to get the problem fixed as soon as possible. I have not been able to speak to him since this all started. The only way I have of knowing what is going is by checking back in with the Pantagraph. Its a very uneasy feeling now knowing what is going on...so Thank you for your comment. "

Wow wrote on Oct 16, 2007 11:05 PM:

" Who would have guessed that people in McLean County can bash towns other than Clinton? "

To Why wrote on Oct 16, 2007 10:28 PM:

" It's news because Lexington is the greatest show on earth!.... "

Downs Taxpayer wrote on Oct 16, 2007 10:15 PM:

" Is Nicor taking responsibility for any damage to the fire trucks from pumping salt water? Of course I don't have a problem with our tax dollars being used to haul water and put out fires, but this appears to be a use that these trucks weren't intended for. Any manufacturer worth their salt (pun intended) would surely void the warranty on these expensive pieces of equipment. And it seens that salt water running through a pump that is not so designed will shorten the life of the pump. Since there is NOT a fire, and since we are being assured there isn't any real danger, Nicor appears to be misusing taxpayer equipment for their own profit. This is just what Downs needs. Time for another new truck! "

Hello???? wrote on Oct 16, 2007 9:57 PM:

" Do any of you realize how serious this is? Obviously not from your postings. Thank you to all of the fire departments for bring in a temendous load of water to help cure the situation. A big thank you also to the Red Cross for providing a meal to all of the volunteers and paid workers for all of your help. Though some may realize how serious this is, there are others that do and again THANK YOU! "

Julie wrote on Oct 16, 2007 8:38 PM:

" I also lived north of Lexington for awhile, and my boyfriend and I were were constantly harassed. "

Ellsworth Resident wrote on Oct 16, 2007 7:30 PM:

" Anyone consider bringing in Beano? Perhaps some Rolaids/Tums? "

yo wrote on Oct 16, 2007 6:59 PM:

" They should call "John Wayne and the Hell Fighters". Let us see if the pantagraph will let this movie title go through. "

Colfax Res. wrote on Oct 16, 2007 6:50 PM:

" I too am curious when 'just about the whole town' had to evacuate. No one knocked on my door to tell me to evacuate and I live near city workers. "

Gas? wrote on Oct 16, 2007 6:38 PM:

" Nothing like a small town gas leak to produce much of the same here in the Pantagraph comments... ;) "

Colfax Resident wrote on Oct 16, 2007 4:10 PM:

" When did Colfax have an incident like this? I don't remember anything of the like. I surely didn't evacuate at any time this summer. More information please. "

Dr. Orangutan Chief Cardiologist Miller Park Zoo wrote on Oct 16, 2007 4:05 PM:

" Dear to Humm wrote on Oct 16, 2007 3:46 PM: Thank you for your rather piqued statement. "

Now wrote on Oct 16, 2007 3:47 PM:

" There is a gas shortage prices are going up "

to Humm wrote on Oct 16, 2007 3:46 PM:

" Your gas bill is going up $200 a month....To Why...about 20 people is not nearly the entire town of Colfax....To Pam.....what did you being a transient or making more money than City Hall have to do with anything?.... Gas leaks happen, water leaks happen, and electrical lines fall down.....live with it, even if it was not mentioned in the Pantagraph. "

Hmm. . . wrote on Oct 16, 2007 3:04 PM:

" I wonder how much my Nicor bill is going up next month because of this. "

To Pam wrote on Oct 16, 2007 3:02 PM:

" Does it really matter that you made more money then the people at city hall?????? Really what does that have to do with this story?? Can't you and "why" just be happy nobody was hurt in this??? And see you must have been a transient if you no longer live there!!! Some people just need to grow up and get over the fact that your town may have not been listed.... "

To why wrote on Oct 16, 2007 2:43 PM:

" oh well let's cry about it!!! "

Pam wrote on Oct 16, 2007 2:38 PM:

" Years ago I lived north of Lexington and when the people wanted something done we were told we didn't matter, "we were transients". Funny, I made more than any of the people at city hall. "

why wrote on Oct 16, 2007 1:36 PM:

" is this news? we had the same thing happen in colfax this past summer and nothing was in the paper about it and just about the whole town had to evacuate. "
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