NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (KABC) — A quiet Newport Beach neighborhood has turned into a 24/7 construction zone. Workers are trying to repair a 1920s-era abandoned oil well that’s been leaking oil and methane gas.
Smack dab in the middle of one of Newport Beach’s most desirable locations is a soaring drill rig.
For the next several weeks, crews will be working around the clock, drilling, digging and prepping to repair a significant oil leak coming from an old well dating back to the 1920s underneath a family’s home.
The special drill that was installed will be drilling about 800 feet deep into the Earth to repair the abandoned well.
Police are warning residents that they should expect noise around the clock for the next 10 days.
“Well, we know it needs to be done. It goes on all night, and that’s what has to be done,” said neighbor Paul Dolkas.
“I was sleeping more on the front of the house last night, and the bright lights 24/7, it’s a bit of a hum. So crazy,” said Peggy Slonkosky.
“There’s always a commotion over there,” neighbor Jeff Parker said.
In images from Parker’s home, it appears the rig is his new night light.
“It’s a beautiful island, a beautiful place. I hope they get finished with what they are doing soon,” he said.
“Truthfully, it hasn’t been that bad. It’s not any noisier than July 4th, or the houses that are under construction in the area,” said neighbor Wyatt Fogoia.
“It sounds like they caught it pretty early. They took the appropriate measures. There’s been a lot of police presence and fire trucks, so I think they are definitely approaching it with caution,” Bella Crane said.
The extensive work also means a large section of Marcus Avenue is blocked off, forcing neighbors to navigate detours and limited street parking.
City leaders say the leakage was first discovered back in October, which forced some neighbors to evacuate after crews also found a methane gas leak from the same home.
The problem was mitigated, and neighbors returned, except for the folks living at the home in question. It has been red-tagged indefinitely.
Dolkas says he has known that family for decades.
“They’re very nice people. We feel bad for them,” he said. “They moved out of the area, and they’re not sure if they want to come back or not. They probably feel their house is going to be torn down, and they’re not sure if they want to rebuild and come back, or not.”
The state is paying for the 24-hour operation. Crews say the heavy drilling will continue through the night for at least the next 10 days.
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