Crews prepare Alaska well blowout site for cleanup

(AP) — Crews in Alaska's North Slope have removed some drilling fluid and contaminated snow from areas near a rig involved in a petroleum well blowout.

State environmental regulators said Monday the removal of 200 cubic yards of material will improve access for the cleanup and rig repairs.

A crew drilling on a lease held by Repsol E&P USA Inc. penetrated a pressurized pocket of natural gas at 2,523 feet Wednesday. The resulting kickback spewed out natural gas and an estimated 42,000 gallons of freshwater-based drilling fluid — or drilling mud — onto three acres.

Natural gas was diverted away from the drilling rig and crews shut down equipment to avoid igniting gas. DEC says the well stopped flowing Thursday night.

Officials say cleanup will begin after the well is under control.