Tulsa Abandoned Gas Well Search Begins

Employees with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission are digging under the streets of a Tulsa neighborhood near 71st and Harvard, looking for an abandoned natural gas well.

Crews said the utility services to two different homes in the area have already been affected because of the leak. They are hoping to find it before it impacts any others.

The 1950's natural gas well is somewhere underneath Tulsa streets; and after several weeks of searching, crews believe it's near 71st and Indianapolis.

Neighbors in the area said the smell has been an issued for a couple of years.

It's hard to pinpoint exactly where the gas well is because records from 1950 aren't exact, but technology is helping them locate where to start the search.

6/14/2018 Related Story: Hunt Is On For Abandoned Tulsa Natural Gas Well

Oklahoma Corporation Commission Spokesman Matt Skinner said gas has been detected in the area, and once crews find the source, there is a process to figure out whose gas is leaking, then repairs can begin.

"We think this is the area to start. We have had too much experience in these old wells to state with any certainty that we will find it today. We certainly have hopes and we have data to show this is a good place to start," Skinner said.

Crews said they aren't exactly sure how long the process will take. They said the plan is to find the leak, cap and seal it and then replace the street.