Inspection Detail
Inspection: 123417479 - Skeeter-Machen Well Service
Inspection Information - Office: Lubbock Area Office
Site Address:
Skeeter-Machen Well Service
20 Miles S.E. Off Hwy 349
Midland, TX 79701
Mailing Address:
P.O.Drawer 10627, Midland, TX 79701
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:1389
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Complete
Advanced Notice: Y
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 03/17/1993
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 08/04/1993
Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
---|---|---|---|
Accident | 360910467 |
Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Initial Violations | 6 | 6 | ||||
Current Violations | 4 | 2 | 6 | |||
Initial Penalty | $30,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $30,000 |
Current Penalty | $6,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $6,000 |
FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
# | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 01001 | Serious | 5A0001 | 06/03/1993 | 06/09/1993 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
2. | 01002 | Serious | 5A0001 | 06/03/1993 | 06/15/1993 | $0 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
3. | 01003 | Serious | 5A0001 | 06/03/1993 | 06/09/1993 | $0 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
4. | 01004 | Serious | 19100120 Q01 | 06/03/1993 | 07/21/1993 | $1,000 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
5. | 01005 | Other | 19100151 B | 06/03/1993 | 07/21/1993 | $0 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement | ||
6. | 01006 | Other | 19101200 H | 06/03/1993 | 07/21/1993 | $0 | $5,000 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
Employee #1 and seven coworkers were engaged in a well circulation procedure in preparation for a Railroad Commission H-5 test. They had been pumping saltwater down the hole for approximately 10 minutes when petroleum fluids and gases began to leak from the blowout preventer. Employee #1 and three coworkers immediately attempted to close the blowout preventer ram blocks using a hand wheel. When this failed to stop the leak, a coworker went for a cheater pipe and Employee #1 went for a 36 in. pipe wrench to increase the leverage and pressure on the ram blocks to obtain a seal. To reach the wrench on the east side of the workover rig, he went downwind and was starting through the area of released gases when an explosion and fire occurred, engulfing Employee #1, a tanker transport truck, and the workover rig and well. He sustained third-degree burns over 90 percent of his body and was killed.
Keywords: LEAK, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, EXPLOSION, BLOWOUT--OIL WELL, COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID, BURN, FIRE, NATURAL GAS, OIL WELL SERVICING, WELLHEAD
# | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 123417479 | Occupation Not Listed |