WATCH: Check out the rig! Drilling rig on the move to residential Bonnyville

The long anticipated move of a drilling rig into residential Bonnyville happened on Tuesday morning, as part of the Orphan Well Association’s remedy to the leaking methane well between 45th and 46th Avenue.

About 20 truckloads of equipment along with the drilling rig travelled from north of town having completed a different well.

The equipment came south from Range Road 455, then east on 54th Avenue, southwest on Highway 28, to hook the left turn on the 46th Street intersection.

B&R Eckels Transport ensured a seamless move for the rig at the key intersection. Vertex Resource Group is overseeing OWA’s project.

At the worksite, expensive rig matting with brand new wood is laid out where two houses and a duplex once stood. Those properties were previously purchased by the OWA and demolished to make way for the work.

Financial details have been kept quiet by the OWA, despite asks from Lakeland Connect.

Previous estimates aimed for two to three days of 24 hour work, but that is trending toward four days. The rig will pop up on Thursday.

An open house was held on June 12 for Bonnyville residents to ask questions and learn more about what’s required. Lars De Pauw said the rarer option of a drilling rig was the best and safest option, as opposed to a service rig.

Those in the loudest vicinity of the work were contacted beforehand, and it is believed they were given compensation for the noise pollution that will disrupt life for a few days.

The well dates back to 1954 and was abandoned by the defunct licensee Trican Petro-Chemical Corporation.

Apex Utilities discovered methane levels in summer 2024 while on a separate job.

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