Perfectly Safe, “Brute Force & Ignorant” Fracking Experiment Kills Again: 1 dead, another injured during fracking at Devon Energy oil field in Blaine County

1 dead, another injured after [frac] incident at Devon Energy oil field in Blaine County by KOCO Staff, November Nov 28, 2017

BLAINE COUNTY, Okla. — A person died and another was injured after an explosion Monday afternoon at an oil field in Blaine County.

The accident was reported around 2:50 p.m. at a Devon Energy oil field west of Watonga while a company was fracking, the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office said.

Crews had just started work and had reached 2,400 pounds of pressure when a fitting gave out. [But, companies and regulators insist fracking is “perfectly” safe, and NGOs insist regulations make it so]

A metal pipe connected with the fitting came loose and hit a person in the chest, officials said. A second person was hit by debris that flew out of the well.

The two people were taken to a hospital, where the person who was hit in the chest died. The second person is expected to be OK, officials said.

The victims’ identities have not been released.

The Sheriff’s Office said this was a freak accident and that there was no indication that a fitting would give out. A representative with Devon Energy told the Sheriff’s Office that the oil and gas company has a good safety rating and that it is safety conscious.

“Devon is coordinating with its contractor and the appropriate government authorities in investigating the incident,” said John Porretto, director of corporate communications for Devon Energy. “Devon wishes to extend its sincere condolences to the victim’s loved ones during this difficult time.” [Emphasis added]

Oilfield Worker Killed in Fracking Accident in Blaine County by okenergytoday, November 29, 2017

The oilfield accident that killed a 36-year old worker on Tuesday in Blaine county remains under investigation by the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office.

Undersheriff David Robertson indicated it happened at a Devon Energy well site located along County Road 2520 and a quarter mile south of County Road 840 west of Watonga.

It occurred as crews were fracking a well and reports indicated a fitting failed in the first phase and struck a worker in the chest. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. His name has not been released. The first phase was just underway and hit 2,400 pounds of pressure when the fitting failed and debris hit two workers. Both were rushed to a hospital.

The Sheriff’s office indicated another worker was injured and both men were employees of Universal Pressure Pumping, a firm headquartered in Texas but with an office in El Reno. The company has been in operation for more than 30 years and describes itself as a “premier source for hydraulic fracturing, cementing, nitrogen and acidizing services for reservoir enhancement.

The company says it provides well services primarily in Texas and the Mid-Continent and Appalachian regions.

“Devon is coordinating with its contractor and the appropriate government authorities in investigating the incident,” said John Porretto, director of corporate communications for Devon Energy. “Devon wishes to extend its sincere condolences to the victim’s loved ones during this difficult time.” [Emphasis added]

[“Freak accident?”

2017 08 04: Fracking by Karve Energy Inc. at Consort Alberta killed Charles Oba, Calgary father of two; Family demands answers. Police not releasing name of the victim. Will Karve Energy blame Charles?

2016 10 26: Shell Canada, Fox Creek Alberta: 47 year old worker killed by water hose in AER’s Blanket Approval, “Brute Force & Ignorant” Frac Frenzy Pilot Project

2015 03 12: Jack Shawn Eyles, 28, from Kelowna, dies fracking in NE BC for Calfrac (Nitrogen Pumping Division) on Progress Energy Canada Ltd. Site: “Not an explosion as we usually think, but an explosive or sudden release of extremely high pressure”

Jack Shawn Eyles, too young to be killed by “strictly regulated” fracking in BC

2010 09 28: EnCana Corporation facing criminal charges buys its way out with $250,000 in community gifts (bribes?) following deadly sour gas leak caused by pipe failure from frac sand

2010 02 04: Failure Investigation Report: Failure of Piping at EnCana Swan Wellsite A5-7-77-14 L W6M

The 22 November 2009 failure…was caused by internal erosion of the wall resulting from flowing fracture sand suspended in the gas stream.  Leak detection and emergency isolation at the site did not achieve timely detection of the leak or control of the escaping gas. EnCana’s integrity management program did not effectively mitigate the hazard of internal erosion. ]

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