DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — Ovintiv Canada was fined $20,000 last month for a hydrocarbon spill at one of their wells in the Briar Ridge area in 2021.
According to the BC Energy Regulator, on November 19th, 2021, the well in question released pressurized fluids during a workover operation, releasing gas.
Ovintiv told the regulator a hydrate formation caused the release due to a casing valve being left in a partially open position prior to the date of the incident.
In a report from Patrick Smook, the regulator’s executive director of responsible development, he described the issues resulting from the spill and the sections of the Energy Resource Activities Act and Emergency Management Regulation that may have been violated.
Smook came to his findings by reviewing the response provided by Ovintiv.
The executive director said he believes Ovintiv failed to prevent spillage — something the company acknowledges in its response.
Ovintiv states workers had difficulty opening and closing the valve on November 19th, 2021, which resulted in the handle breaking.
The valve was believed to be closed when it was blocked open by a hydrate.
When workers attempted the planned operation using a different valve, the hydrate was released, and the spillage occurred.
Smook stated that Ovintiv should have ensured all equipment was in working order before continuing the operation.
