Natural gas well blowout near Fox Creek being monitored

A natural gas blowout continues to spew natural gas and condensate in northwest Alberta.

The blowout happened at 2 p.m.Monday at an Encana site, 18 kilometreswest of Fox Creek.

The Calgary-based company saidit immediately enacted its emergency response plan, securing the site and ensuring all workers weresafe.

"The (AlbertaEnergy Regulator)is on the ground and has assured me there is no immediate danger to human health at this time," saidMinisterofEnergy MargaretMcCuaig-Boydin a news release. "The AER and the company are monitoring air quality and providing my office with regular updates."

The AERsaidthe well is licensed for hydrogen sulphide, or sour gas, andportable air monitoring units and roadblocks have been set up at the site.

"We're on site to assess the situation," said spokesmanPeterMurchland. "We do have special equipment, including air monitoring units, in place to detect any odours that go off lease at the site."

It's still too early to tell what caused the blowout, Murchlandsaid Tuesday.

There has beenno impacton the public, waterways or wildlife reported at this time, the AER said in a news release.

Fox Creek isabout260 kilometresnorthwestof Edmonton.