Inspection Detail

Inspection: 101391225 - U.S. Safety Services, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Jackson Area Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 2:00 p.m. on May 29, 1990, Employees #1 through #5 were part of an oil well workover crew that was preparing the existing Travis Well #3 for collection at a deeper level. The well had been collecting oil in the Buckner formation and was being moved down to the smackover. The crew was having problems with gas kick back at the well on the day of the accident. When the well began to put out gases, they killed the rig's engine, hoping it would stop. When the well did not stop kicking out the employees decided to jump-start the engine and close the blow-out preventor on the well. It is strongly suspected that the gas in the area was in the explosive range during the attempted jump-start. The well exploded, burning Employees #1 through #5 on more than 40 percent of their bodies. Employee #1 died on site and Employees #2, #3, and #4 died later in burn centers. Employee #5 was hospitalized.

Keywords: EXPLOSION, BLOWOUT--OIL WELL, BURN, FIRE, NATURAL GAS, OIL WELL SERVICING, OIL RIG, GAS