On Feb. 10, Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) provided an update on operations to control the methane leak from the Aliso Canyon underground natural gas storage field.

Progress is being made on the first relief well, which reached 8,615 ft measured depth. This well is on scheduled to stop the leak by late February, or perhaps sooner. Crews continue setting up rig equipment on the second relief well, the company added.

The company said that controlling the leakage of gas, cementing and stabilizing the target well so that is permanently sealed and getting confirmation from the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR), part of the state’s Department of Conservation, that the target well is permanently sealed, are the major steps to stop the leak.

Controlling the flow of the leaking gas will involve pumping heavy fluids into the target well, and this will begin in the next few days, the company said.

When the flow of gas has been stopped, enough cement will be pumped into the well to displace these fluids and mud and leave a cement seal that will cut off the target well from the reservoir, permanently stopping the leak at its source.

The company will work with DOGGR to confirm the leak has stopped. After no more gas is leaking, any remaining odors should quickly dissipate, SoCalGas said.

Residents will be notified by SoCalGas when the leak has been controlled and also when DOGGR confirms for the company that the well is sealed. All residents who requested relocation assistance from SoCalGas should note that the company will attempt to call or email them. A press release will also be issued, and updates will be posted on the AlisoUpdates.com website and on social media.

As of Feb. 10, 1,726, or more than one-third, of the residents who chose to relocate have checked out of their temporary accommodations.

By the numbers:

--Households placed: 4,645

--Households in progress: 861

--Households checked out: 1,726

--Air scrubbers installed in homes: 5,467

--Weatherization of homes: 5,410

--Plug-in air filters delivered to homes: 3,231

Recently, the South Coast Air Quality Management District published findings showing that average benzene concentrations and the range of 12-hour and 24-hour benzene concentrations (average, minimum and maximum) in the Porter Ranch area are lower than those in surrounding communities.

Southern California Gas Co. is based in San Diego.