Magnum Hunter reports blowout at Utica shale well

HOUSTON -- Magnum Hunter Resources Corp. has reported that the company' s wholly-owned subsidiary, Triad Hunter, LLC , has experienced a loss of control of a well, the Stalder 3UH, located in Monroe County, Ohio.

Triad Hunter lost control of this well at approximately 2:00 p.m. EST on Dec. 13. The previously drilled and completed Stalder 3UH well had been temporarily plugged and abandoned in preparation for the drilling of three additional Utica horizontal wells on the Stalder pad.

However, despite numerous precautionary measures taken in connection with the temporary plugging and abandonment operation, the well began to flow uncontrollably while recommencing production operations.

Triad Hunter personnel were removing the well' s night cap flange when a pressure disruption occurred. They attempted to bolt back down this equipment but were not able to safely do so prior to natural gas flowback.

Triad Hunter has contacted all necessary regulatory authorities and evacuated field personnel and the residents in the immediate area, the company said in a statement on Dec. 14.

All field personnel are accounted for, and no injuries have been reported.

Only critical personnel remain at a command center near the well site to mitigate the incident. Wild Well Control of Houston, Texas has been mobilized and is currently on site preparing for well control operations, the company said in the statement.