1998 Bellevue gas well blowout near Lost Hills, California USA

Footage taken on November 26 and December 4, 1998 with my handheld 8mm video camera. The well blew out on November 23 when the well was at a depth of 17,657 feet (5,381 meters). Fortunately no injuries were recorded. Water broke through after 16 days and extinguished the fire. The well could not be capped and was killed in May 1999 with the drilling of a relief well.

[@thenogood6717]

I was 18 yrs old when that happened i would deliver building materials out to the pistachio plants being built out that way. Passing by it on G.P Rd. Thanks for the memories

[@dayknight9541]

You're welcome!

[@fritzeugen02]

I was 8 when this happened. I saw it a couple times going back and forth from LA and Coalinga

[@pryme2013]

Shoulda called Red Adair. Spraying that water is adorable, did they think that was doing anything besides wasting it?

[@StealthElectronVIP]

Water reduces the flames. Spray enough water and you can reduce the flammability and alongside other measures, like capping it with a long tube, can cause the flame to go out.

[@240sxRule]

That water is to cool the equipment and the men trying to contain it.

[@desokell3792]

Mr M - What a ridiculous post. The folks attending to this blow out are Boots & Coots. The two founders were Red Adair veterans. Did you honestly think they were anything else but experts?

[@dundonrl]

@@desokell3792 Boots and Coots, now owned by Halliburton, who I work for as an electronics tech. Good company with great people!