Magnum Hunter Resources Corp. (NYSE: MHR) announced Dec. 14 that it experienced a loss of control of a Utica well, the Stalder 3UH, located in Monroe County, Ohio.

The Houston-based company's wholly owned subsidiary, Triad Hunter LLC, lost control of the well at about 2 p.m. EST on Dec. 13, according to the release.

The previously drilled and completed Stalder 3UH well had been temporarily plugged and abandoned in preparation for the drilling of three additional Utica horizontal wells on the Stalder pad. The company said that however, despite numerous precautionary measures taken in connection with the temporary plugging and abandonment operation, the well began to flow uncontrollably while recommencing production operations.

Triad Hunter personnel were removing the well's night cap flange when a pressure disruption occurred. They attempted to bolt back down this equipment but were not able to safely do so prior to natural gas flowback, the company said.

Triad Hunter has contacted all necessary regulatory authorities and evacuated field personnel and the residents in the immediate area.

Currently, all field personnel are accounted for, and no injuries have been reported. Only critical personnel remain at a command center near the well site to mitigate the incident. Wild Well Control, of Houston, has been mobilized and is currently on site preparing for well control operations. The company said additional details will be released as they become available.