Massive Gas Leak Near Los Angeles Plugged After 16 Weeks

Crews work on stopping a gas leak at a relief well at the Aliso Canyon facility above the Porter Ranch area of Los Angeles on Dec. 9, 2015. The utility says it has stopped the natural gas leak near Los Angeles after nearly 4 months. Dean Musgrove/Los Angeles Daily News via AP, Pool, File

LOS ANGELES—A blowout at a natural gas well that leaked uncontrollably for 16 weeks and drove thousands of residents from their Los Angeles homes was plugged Thursday, a utility said.

While the well still needs to be permanently sealed with cement and inspected by state regulators, the announcement by Southern California Gas Co. marked the first time the massive leak has been under control since it was reported Oct. 23.

We've achieved control of the well today.

— Jimmie Cho, senior vice president, SoCalGas