MoPI commences clearing of debris

Diamond gas explosion
– GGMC to commence works by Monday

The Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) has commenced the exercise of cleaning up the residences at Fifth and Sixth Avenue, Diamond, East Bank Demerara, where a resident of the community had dug a well that resulted in an eruption of mud, water and methane gas, causing damage to several homes in the area.

Clean-up works onging in Diamond

The clean-up works, expected to last for approximately two days, are being undertaken in an effort to give access to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) teams who will be working to recap the well.
Lieutenant Latchman Persaud of the National Emergency Operations System of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), who is overseeing the clean-up exercise, said it is expected that recapping works, expected to last between two and three weeks, can commence on Monday. He noted that all materials have already been procured and are on the ground.
Mitchell Prince, Senior Petroleum Analyst of the GGMC, said the plan is to run two sizes of casing into the ground where the well has been dug. “It is the reverse of drilling a well. The hole is already there, it is now to put the casings in and seal it off. We are going to use 18-inch casings on the outside and 14 inch diameter casings on the inside. This would be sealed around with concrete, and there will be a valve. During the process of construction, the valve will be left open in order to vent and release the pressures. When you are finished sealing up, then you can close the valve,” he said.
The gas detection within the area remains low, and has been constrained within the property; as such, a safe zone has been established.
Director General of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, has said the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has agreed to assist the affected neighbours in their clean-up efforts.
The Commission is also reminding persons that permits must be obtained from the Hydrometeorological Office to conduct such drillings.
“If you are drilling wells, you must receive permits from the Hydrometeorological Office, because you can have situations like this, (which) threaten your life, your neighbours’ lives, and other people around you. You have to be careful and follow the rules. If you don’t, you are going to put people’s lives at jeopardy,” Colonel Craig admonished.