East Texas

EASTON - A gas well leak detected by an Anadarko Petroleum Cooperation during a routine maintenance inspection forced the evacuation of more than 15 residents in Easton on Monday afternoon.

"Anadarko has arranged to provide temporary housing to those evacuated as a result of this leak to a nearby hotel," Gregg County Sheriff's Office Lt. Mike Claxton said. "Deputies and Easton Police have contacted about nine families in the east grid and these families are relocating."

Gas seen spewing from a well's casing collar along Farm-to-Market Road 2906 caused the need for a precautionary evacuation.

Claxton said the leak was low risk, but that Easton police will remain on site until personnel from Wild Well Control, a firefighting well control and engineering service provider, arrives.

"There is a combination of saltwater and oil at the gas well. The potential for fire is a concern for those working on the site," Claxton said.

The event is considered low risk at present stage; however, the sheriff's department is prepared to enhance its emergency operations on location if needed.

"The climatically sitting, wind direction and speed will direct a lot of how the site will be managed," he said.