CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Workers at a blown oil well in eastern Wyoming have capped an eruption of potentially explosive natural gas by pumping mud into the well.

The plugging operation began about 9:30 Friday morning. By 11 a.m. the flow of gas had ceased, although mud continued to be pumped underground.

The newly drilled well owned by Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy blew out Tuesday afternoon. Potentially explosive methane gas roared from the ground at the site five miles northeast of the town of Douglas.

An evacuation advisory was issued to 67 people living within two-and-a-half miles. Fifty people heeded the advisory.

Workers staged equipment Wednesday to plug the well but shifting winds blew gas over the equipment Thursday. Westerly winds Friday enabled them to safely approach the well and begin plugging.

 

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