DNR geologist: Gas may be bubbling from salt dome

ASSUMPTION PARISH — A top geologist at the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources says bubbling gas in bayous in Assumption Parish may be connected to a salt dome deep underground.

The Advocate reports (http://bit.ly/LsftDK) that Madhurendu Kumar, director of DNR's geological oil and gas division, told residents last week that gas that has collected in pockets of a fault along the Napoleonville Dome could be being released naturally.

Kumar says deep muds containing natural gas were drawn up as the salt dome was pushed to the surface in geologic history and now those muds are closer to the surface.

Officials say the gas being released will not catch on fire and is not toxic.