The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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January 23, 2012

Investigation of oil well blast ongoing

By Robert Barron, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ENID — Oklahoma Corporation Commission is investigating an oil well explosion and fire Friday night in Logan County.

Four workers were injured in the blast, which was at a Kirkpatrick Oil Co. well located about two miles north of the intersection of Oklahoma 51 and Oklahoma 74.

Matt Skinner, spokesman for Oklahoma Corporation Commission, said it is too early to make a ruling on the cause. He said preliminary indications show no environmental damage was done, and safety issues will be investigated by Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The well blew out about 6:30 p.m. Friday, and Marshall Fire Department was called. Fire Chief Brian Vogel said the fire still was burning when his firefighters turned it over to a wellhead control company at about 2:30 a.m. Saturday.

El Dorado Drilling Co., an affiliate of Kirkpatrick Oil Co., operates the rig. El Dorado provides contract drilling services in northwest and north central Oklahoma for independent oil and gas production companies, according to the El Dorado website.

No information was available Monday about the condition of the injured workers. Representatives of Kirkpatrick Oil and El Dorado Drilling did not return telephone calls Monday.

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