Emergency drilling underway in Newport Beach to plug 1920s oil leak threatening safety and environment.

Emergency drilling is underway in Newport Beach to seal a methane and oil leak from a 1920s-era abandoned well on the Balboa Peninsula. The city declared a local emergency in October after seepage was detected, leading to the red-tagging of a home at 3606 Marcus Ave. as unsafe. A specialized drill rig is working around the clock for about 10 days, with full street closures, nighttime noise, limited garage access, and no on-street parking expected. State and local officials are coordinating the effort to prevent further public safety and environmental risks.