Bedford Energy (BFDE)

[ChandlerBorn]

Grace #2 Completion Underway

CONFIRMATION: Materials to begin completion of the Grace #2 are now on site. New power poles have been placed along the road leading to the well site. When these are erected there will be electrical power to the site.

Since the well is adjacent to the north end of the Chandler airport runway, bringing in a completion rig must await the appropriate NOTAM (Notice To Airmen) to be issued from the FAA to alert pilots of a temporary 40-foot-tall obstruction that could pose a danger. Issuance of the NOTAM is expected in the next day or so, with well completion to begin immediately thereafter.

Source: On-site inspection from vested-interest observer I consider 100% reliable, WITH photos.

This is, indeed, good news!
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BLOWOUTS: The mechanisms that prevent blowouts, such as happened at the Grace #2, were in place ready to be installed the following day when the well blew in the middle of the night. If they'd have been able to install a half day earlier, no blowout! Such are the vagaries of oil exploration.

When the well blew, it spewed saltwater over a wide area and caused the temporary closing of I-44, which is only about 1/16 of a mile north of the site, because prevailing winds tend to be from the south and southeast there. Cleanup expense was substantial, but since there was little or no petroleum ejected, it was far cheaper than cleaning up crude oil. The blowout was shown on TV news broadcast from Oklahoma City.

Could have been a LOT worse . . . .