Texas leads the nation in oil production, but with that dominance comes serious risks. Oil rig explosions are among the most catastrophic events that occur in the energy industry, typically resulting in life-changing injuries, if not death.
In a 2023 report, the CDC analyzed oil and gas extraction fatalities from 2014 to 2019, grouped by basin. It was discovered that the famous Permian basin was the deadliest in the U.S., with 148 deaths occurring in those five years. It’s a figure that accounts for 31.5% of all oil and gas extraction worker fatalities during that time frame.
Below is a deeper dive into some of the most well-known oil-rig workplace accidents in Texas history. Our list omits disasters at other oil and gas facilities, such as refineries and processing plants. Still, it’s important to note that Texas has had several such incidents over the years, a few of which led to dozens of fatalities and injuries.
The featured incidents that specifically involved oil rigs are as follows:
Deepwater Horizon: The Worst Spill in History
The 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill is the largest and most infamous in history. A total of 11 workers died, and many others were injured, while an estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil spilled into the Gulf.
While it technically took place off the Louisiana coast, it’s still worth including here, as many of the crew members were Texans. Texas agencies were also instrumental in the spill response, and the spill had a direct and lasting impact on the Lone Star State’s coastline.
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The West Texas Explosion
In 2015, an oil rig in West Texas exploded, killing three workers. Federal regulators ultimately fined the company that operated the well $50,000 for safety violations. Investigators reported that five of the violations were classified as “serious,” while the sixth was a “repeat” violation.
Two factors that likely played the biggest role in the explosion were the fact that the company allowed workers to drive pickup trucks near the well and that workers also smoked nearby.
The Jasper County Explosion
In mid-2019, a Jasper County oil rig exploded, injuring four workers, three of whom suffered severe burns. According to some reports, one worker made off-camera statements, blaming a pump malfunction for the explosion. However, that was never confirmed to be the cause.
While it is fortunate that no one died in the explosion, the three burn victims nevertheless faced a long road to recovery. Treating burn injuries often requires debridement, a painful procedure where medical professionals remove damaged tissue.
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The Wendland 1H Well Explosion
Lastly, in 2020, the Wendland 1H Well, located in Burleson County, TX, exploded.
The incident led to the death of three contractors, and investigators discovered the following safety concerns:
- Lack of comprehensive well planning
- Inadequate ignition source management
- Inadequate control for completed wells in underpressured reservoirs
- Federal regulatory safety violations
The contractors lost control of the well, which led to the blowout. As oil and gas escaped the well, it found an ignition source, which led to a flash fire.
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Contact Our Burnet Personal Injury Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers for Legal Help After an Oil Rig Explosion
Oil rig disasters over the years have repeatedly highlighted the risks that workers and nearby communities face. Even if workers survive an oil rig incident, they are often left with life-altering injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, burns, and broken bones. While huge strides have been made to make rigs safer, there is still much work to be done.
For more information, contact the Houston personal injury law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers at (713) 500-5000.
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About the Author Brian White
Brian White earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. He is a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer.
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