Federal and state investigators are working to determine the cause of a fatal tank battery fire that tragically killed an oilfield worker in New Mexico’s Permian Basin on Wednesday.
The fire, which erupted shortly before 1:00 p.m. on June 18th at a WPX Energy facility near Loving, had engulfed the entire site by the time responders from multiple Eddy County agencies arrived on scene.
Deceased Worker Burned Beyond Recognition, 2nd Injured Worker Treated for Burns
The remains of the deceased worker were recovered Wednesday afternoon. He was burned beyond recognition, making identification difficult.
“As a result of the injuries, physical identification is not possible,” Lt. Matt Hutchinson, of the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, said during a media briefing yesterday afternoon. “That kind of ID will be done at the Office of the Medical Investigator (OMI) level.”
That process could take several weeks.
A second unidentified worker was treated for burns. It’s not clear what his current condition is.
The deceased and injured men were employed by separate companies that had been contracted by WPX Energy to perform work at the refinery.
WPX Energy Refinery Fire Finally Extinguished Wednesday Night
It’s not known what caused the blaze. No fracking or drilling activities were taking place when the battery tank erupted.
Hutchinson indicated that 11 tanks were destroyed in the fire. Eight held produced water, while two contained residue oil and another held an oil separation unit.
While the fire was contained by Wednesday afternoon, it wasn’t completely extinguished until later that evening.
Permian Basin Fire Was Second at a WPX Energy Site in Recent Weeks
WPX Energy is an independent petroleum and natural gas producer based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The Eddy County fire was the second to hit one of the company’s New Mexico facilities this summer.
A June 11th fire at a San Juan Basin production site near Nageezi destroyed more than 2 dozen tanks and burned for 5 days.
Fortunately, no one was injured in that incident. However, residents nearby have faulted WPX Energy for a lack of communication regarding the fire and the possible health risks associated with air quality.
Undefeated Oilfield Accident Lawyers with Over $1 Billion Won for Injured Workers: Call 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here for a Free Consult
Our Undefeated Oilfield Accident Lawyers have won over $1 billion for our clients and successfully represented hundreds of oilfield workers and their families against the biggest energy companies in the United States.
If you have questions about your legal options following the WPX Energy Permian Basin fire, call 1-888-603-3636 or send us an email through our Contact Form by Clicking Here.
Our Oilfield Accident Attorneys will take the time to explain your rights and provide all of the information you need to make the best decisions for you and your family.
All consultations are free, and because we only work on a contingency-fee basis, you won’t pay us anything unless we win your case.