Louisiana sinkhole swallowed 25 more trees and well pad access ramp

According to the Assumption Parish Police Jury, giant Louisiana sinkhole swallowed 25 trees and a well pad access ramp, so now the collapsed area grew to 13 acres in size. The Office of Conservation, in consultation with Assumption Parish Police Jury, advised the public on March 28, 2013 that the Oxy 3/sinkhole monitoring alert status has been raised to Code 2 – requiring all work directly in and over the sinkhole to cease until further notice. Monitoring is constantly ongoing in the area and Conservation will continue to advise the public of significant changes in subsurface conditions.

Code 1 has no restrictions

Code 2 is restricting work activities from inside sinkhole and west side of Pad 3

Code 3 is restricting all work activities from inside berm area and all of pad three, as well as shutting in wells ORW 12, TBC 2&3, ORGW 1

Images taken by DNR inspection on March 29, 2013 shows oil stains and bubbling activity (Credit: DNR Louisiana)

Increased seismic activity around sinkhole was recorded on April 1, 2013. Seismic monitoring has detected elevated subsurface activity in the area around the sinkhole and Oxy 3 area indicative of fluid and gas movement below the sinkhole. Water movement has been also observed, at the sinkhole surface. The tremors are linked to gas or fluid movement under the sinkhole. For now, the seismic activity is limited to the Oxy 3/sinkhole area, showing no indication of impact to the Oxy 1 area.

Bellow, you can watch  flyover videos recorded on March 28, 2013.

Inspection Form and BC Checklist (DNR, April 1, 2013)

Sources: Assumption Parish Police Jury, DNR Louisiana, TheAdvocate, LA Sinkhole Buggle

Featured image: Louisiana sinkhole captured on March 28, 2013 (Credit: Assumption Parish)