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Construction crews work in the parking lot of the former Amoco station near Main and Meridian Aug. 22 after removing four large fuel tanks from underground.

Excavation uncovers oil well in heart of the city
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: August 28, 2014

Fuel tank removal wrapping up

It was more like hitting a snag than striking it rich.

While crews were digging out tons of contaminated soil that surrounded the four large underground fuel tanks at the former Amoco station at Main and Meridian in Valley Center this week, they ran into an old, abandoned oil well.

Valley Center historian Vince Marshall with the local historical society said the well was likely drilled in 1929. It was among 16 other so-called dry hole oil wells drilled in Valley Center around that time.

The small round opening was about eight feet below the surface of the parking lot.

The discovery shut down the excavation for a while as Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Kansas Corporation Commission officials convened to come up with a resolution.

Before resuming the work, a large metal cylinder was attached to the rim of the well and held in place up to the surface while infill rock and dirt was placed in the hole.

During the past week, crews have removed several truckloads of contaminated soil, taking it to a transfer station in Newton.

By mid-afternoon Aug. 26, they were working to fill the hole with dirt and gravel.

Property owner Paul Eden said the state is footing the bill for the removal of the tanks and the remediation of the site.

Four tanks, ranging in size from 6,000 gallons to 10,000 gallons, were removed.

Eden is renovating the former gas station and will use the property to expand his used car sales business. He had hoped to have the parking lot finished by Fall Festival weekend, which is Sept. 19 and 20, but didn't know how badly the oil well discovery would delay his timeline.





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