SoCal Gas Company Pinpoints Location Of Natural Gas Leak In Porter Ranch

PORTER RANCH (CBSLA.com) — Crews have pinpointed the location of a natural gas leak that has displaced thousands of residents in Porter Ranch, Southern California Gas Company reported Monday.

Spokeswoman Anne Silva told the Los Angeles Times that crews discovered the site of the target around midnight on Saturday while using a magnetic ranging tool.

Silva explained the leak was discovered around a depth of 3,800 feet within a "7-inch diameter steel pipeline that allows natural gas to be put into a naturally occurring underground storage field."

However, the company is still "not sure of the exact location of the leak, but suspects it is within a shallow level," Silva added.

The well extends more than 8,000 feet below the surface in the San Fernando Valley community.

SoCal Gas Company plans to complete drilling of a primary relief well by Feb. 24. Crews will begin drilling a secondary relief well in January. It should take up to four months to complete.

The natural gas leak was located on Oct. 23 at SoCal Gas Company's Aliso Canyon storage facility. The county was notified five days later.

Since then, thousands of residents have been relocated from their homes after experiencing symptoms including headaches, nausea, vomiting and dizziness.

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