Undefeated West Texas Oilfield Attorneys
An oilfield accident on Monday night tragically killed one worker and seriously injured two more in Reeves County, Texas.
Ruptured Pressurized Device Causes Deadly Accident at Frac Site
The fatal incident occurred just before 9 p.m. on January 27 at a well site owned by Permian Resources, located south of U.S. 285 near County Road 114. At the time, ProPetro Services was conducting hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations when a catastrophic equipment failure took place.
According to officials, a pressurized device ruptured, killing 45-year-old Edward Rodriguez and injuring two other workers.
Victims Identified in Tragic Reeves County Oilfield Accident
Officials reported that the incident caused fatal injuries to one worker, while another suffered critical injuries. He was airlifted to Medical Center Hospital in Odessa for emergency treatment.
A site supervisor was transported to Reeves Regional Hospital in Pecos with minor injuries.
Investigation Now Underway Into Catastrophic Equipment Failure
After securing the site, Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division investigators determined that a highly pressurized line—containing approximately 9,000 psi—detached from a fracking unit, leading to the deadly rupture. Officials also recovered a pipe that had detached during the accident, with valves still attached to both ends.
Authorities continue to investigate what caused the equipment failure and whether any safety violations or negligence played a role.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is also conducting an investigation.
The Dangers of Highly Pressurized Equipment in Oilfield Operations
Oilfield sites rely on high-pressure systems to extract and process oil and gas. However, any failure in pressurized equipment—such as pipes, fracking units, or valves—can lead to catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
Common causes of pressurized equipment failure on the oilfield includes:
- Compressed gasses and deteriorating pipelines, which easily lead to sudden bursts and explosions.
- Defective (or poorly maintained) oil rig equipment that has the potential to unexpectedly blow under pressure.
- Drill site owners and operators failing to properly follow mandatory safety and maintenance guidelines.
When pressurized systems malfunction or rupture, workers are at risk of:
- Blunt-force trauma and traumatic brain injuries caused by flying debris
- Burns from explosive decompression
- Fatal injuries and wrongful death caused by sudden pressure release
- Severe lacerations and amputations
Proper maintenance, regular inspections, and adherence to strict safety protocols are critical to preventing these types of accidents. However, when companies cut corners on equipment maintenance or fail to enforce safety measures, workers pay the price.
Undefeated West Texas Oilfield Accident Lawyers: 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult
Our Oilfield Accident Lawyers are investigating the Reeves County incident and will provide an update if any new information becomes available. With a 100% past success rate, our oilfield injury lawyers have won Billions for thousands of injured workers in Texas, Louisiana, and across the United States.
If you or a loved one were involved in the Permian Resources oilfield accident, call 1-888-603-3636 or send us a confidential email through our Contact Us form.
We’ll explain your legal rights and options, answer your questions, and provide all of the information you need to make the best decisions for yourself and your family.
All consultations are free, and because we only represent clients on a contingency-fee basis, you’ll owe nothing unless we win your case.