In late June, emergency crews in Wheatley, Ontario were once again forced to evacuate downtown due to a hydrogen sulfide gas leak—the same toxic gas that caused a devastating 2021 explosion that levelled a local pub and displaced families for months.
The leak has reignited concerns over Ontario’s approximately 27,000 legacy oil and gas wells, many of which were drilled before proper reporting was mandated in the early 1900s. With vague location data and improper sealing practices, these “ghost wells” remain an invisible threat beneath homes, businesses, and public infrastructure across the province.
Following the 2021 Wheatley explosion, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent engaged 360 Engineering & Environmental Consultants (360 EEC), to lead the cleanup and risk mitigation efforts following the explosion. At 360 EEC, we help landowners and municipalities assess, monitor, and mitigate risks tied to legacy wells.
