Wheatley Gas Explosion Site Investigation

Описание: Presented by Duncan Hamilton (Consulting Geologist, Great Lakes Geoscience Ltd.), at EPEX 2025: OPI's 62nd Conference and Trade Show - May 29, 2025, at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn and Conference Centre.

Conference Program download: https://www.ontariopetroleuminstitute...

On January 15, 1936, an explosion occurred in downtown Wheatley, Ontario and demolished a large portion of the northeast block, known as the Oddfellows Block, at the main intersection. As reported in the local newspaper, the Oldfellows Block was reduced to ruins by the fire and explosion. At the time, the cause of the destruction was considered a mystery, and a number of theories were reviewed but with a lack of evidence to substantiate them. The site was rebuilt and was relatively quiet until 1993 when gas leaks were reported and tested. The tests indicated the gas was not from a leaking pipeline but thermogenic in origin.
The site was relatively dormant until August 26, 2021, when a hydrogen sulfide gas explosion occurred on the same site, resulting in twenty people being injured and causing extensive damage to the downtown block. During demolition of the surrounding structures, the gas was traced to old abandoned natural gas wells drilled on the site in the late 1800’s (termed legacy wells). Subsequent investigation activities uncovered additional undocumented wells, and it was determined that the natural gas leaking from the legacy wells had migrated into the subsurface water system.
This presentation will review the prior history of events on the site and the results of the detailed site investigation that was conducted in 2024. The site investigation led to a number of critical actions being implemented to mitigate future potential risks of hydrogen sulphide gas leaks in the area. The findings of the Wheatley Gas Explosion Site Investigation illustrate the potential risks to infrastructure development in municipalities with historical oil and natural gas legacy wells.
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With Thanks to:
Duncan Hamilton (presenter)
Matt Dupont (video editor)
Ben “DJ Benane” Somers (outro music)
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