Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks

After nearly a decade of trying to resolve ongoing issues related to an abandoned gas well on Forestry Farm Road, Norfolk County, in partnership with the Province, has taken a significant step forward. New findings from a recent groundwater study have led experts to recommend a new strategy for addressing the site.

Originally, efforts focused on “capping” the well to stop the gas and water discharge. However, despite extensive work, this approach proved ineffective. With additional funding provided by the Province in late 2024, Norfolk installed monitoring wells and conducted a more in-depth hydrogeological study. The final report, delivered in May 2025, provided critical new data and a clearer understanding of the subsurface conditions.

The key takeaway is that the underground pressure causing the discharge cannot be stopped entirely; it will always find an outlet. The new data shows that there is not just one problem location but multiple areas where gas and water are being forced to the surface. This confirms what some experts had suspected from the beginning but could not prove without this new level of analysis.

As a result, the original plan to seal the well is no longer recommended. Instead, the report outlines a new, multi-faceted strategy to manage the situation.

Key recommendations include:

• Installation of a pressure relief well to help control underground pressure (estimated cost: $500,000)
• Technology to improve air quality and treat water before it’s discharged (estimated cost: $1,000,000)
• Continued monitoring of the site, including groundwater flow and gas emissions.
• A full survey of other groundwater discharge points in the area
• Focus on redirecting pressure toward the Spanjers Spring area, a more stable location.
• Decommissioning of nearby gas wells through the Abandoned Works Program
• Installation of a temporary collection system and a vacuum degasser to contain the current discharge
• Preventing further erosion at the original site
• Launching an Environmental Assessment to address long-term treatment and discharge options
• Creating a technical working group with Norfolk County, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of the Environment, and Ministry of Health to coordinate a long-term response

Norfolk asks that the Province:

• A coordinated, multi-Ministry approach to implement the recommended actions for managing the abandoned gas well site.
• Support in securing the necessary regulatory approvals for equipment and infrastructure across relevant ministries.
• Continued collaboration to protect the health and safety of the surrounding community through long-term, sustainable solutions.