Dangers of Fracking for Bakken Oil Leads to Injured Oil Field Workers
New York Times Investigates Bakken Oil Field Accidents
Lax regulation and the inherent danger of oil production are leaving North Dakota workers at risk of oil field injuries from blowouts and other accidents in the booming Bakken oil formation, a lengthy New York Times investigation indicates.
The New York Times piece, “The Downside of the Boom” focuses on the growing problems of oil rig blowouts, “the riskiest failure in the oil business,” and the resulting oil spills and worker injuries. The companies that own the oil rigs and put workers at risk are barely, if ever, penalized for the harm to workers and the environment.
A blowout in Golden Valley County in 2011 left three workers badly burned, the report says. One of the injured workers said –“I was a human torch,” -Andrew J. Rohr, a driller who told The Times he was paid a confidential settlement by Continental Resources, the owner of the failed oil rig.
The North Dakota Industrial Commission did not fine Continental Resources for the Golden Valley accident, The Times says. After an 11th blowout in August 2013, the Commission fined the company $75,000 but waived 90 percent of the penalty “after Continental blamed ‘an irresponsible supervisor’ — just as it had blamed Mr. Rohr and his crew, contract workers, for the blowout that left them traumatized.” The multi-billion-dollar company ultimately paid a $7,500 fine.
Oil Field Safety Matters
The report describes “a cozy relationship” between the ND Industrial Commission and oil companies, which has resulted in “oversight of a multi-billion-dollar industry with a slender regulatory system” that responds to accidents with “forgiveness.” Penalties are a “last resort.” But “in recent years, as the boom really exploded, the number of reported spills, leaks, fires and blowouts has soared, with an increase in spillage that outpaces the increase in oil production,” The Times says.
The Times mostly focuses on the environmental impact of an accident rate of one spill for every six oil wells in the state. More than 18.4 million gallons of oils and chemicals have spilled, leaked or misted into the air, soil and waters of North Dakota from 2006 through early October 2014, the newspaper estimates.
An oil rig blowout can leave any nearby worker seriously injured or dead. Today’s technology should make blowouts rare, but companies that know they will not be penalized for accidents can become negligent, which will invariably lead to more accidents and catastrophic injuries.
Larson Law Firm is An Oil Field Accident Expert
At the Larson Law Firm, attorney Mark Larson can help if you or a loved one has been injured in an oil rig blowout in North Dakota. He and his legal team will investigate the circumstances of your accident and work to secure compensation for you, whether through a workers’ compensation or personal injury claim.
Contact our law firm online or call us at (701) 839-1777 today to discuss your potential claim.