Teams inspecting homes near Kingfisher geysers

KINGFISHER, Okla. (AP) -- Teams began inspecting about a dozen homes and water wells located near a creek where natural gas has been bubbling up for days.<br/><br/>The Oklahoma Corporation Commission says

Thursday, December 15th 2005, 5:44 am

By: News On 6

KINGFISHER, Okla. (AP) -- Teams began inspecting about a dozen homes and water wells located near a creek where natural gas has been bubbling up for days.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission says an investigation indicates a well being drilled by Chesapeake Energy Corporation miles away may be to blame for the strange releases of explosive vapors.

Commission spokesman Matt Skinner says Chesapeake Energy employees accompanied Kingfisher County sheriff's deputies to test water wells around the houses as a precautionary measure Wednesday.

Chesapeake officials say air samples taken don't indicate the presence of gas at the homes. They say water samples are being analyzed at a certified lab.

A natural gas drilling rig being operated by Chesapeake near Okarche experienced an unusually large flow of gas last week and may have moved laterally to the creek area.

Chesapeake officials say workers are removing the drilling rig from the well location and are preparing to connect it to a pipeline in an effort to reduce pressure.