In this week's news update, OSHA will investigate an accident on an oil rig in Texas, and more than 8 percent of oil wells in North Dakota are sitting idle.
The number of wells in North Dakota that have been drilled but not fracked passed 1,000 for the first time as producers delayed turning them on in hopes that crude prices will soon recover. The numbers reported are from September.
More than 8 percent of oil wells in the state are sitting idle, storing their crude and natural gas in rock miles underground until prices rise. The delay harms the industry’s ability to grow production, a number closely watched by investors. Daily output in the state fell 2 percent in September.
State officials announced in October that they would consider allowing oil producers additional extensions to bring new wells online.
OSHA to Investigate Oilfield Accident in Texas
An accident Nov. 11 at an oil rig operated by Arrow Drilling Company near McMaddin, Texas, will be investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Injured was derrickman Fernando Munoz, when the oil rig he was working on sustained a blowout. It took rescuers at least an hour to rescue Munoz, who was trapped in the derrick 75 feet off the ground.
Arrow Drilling is also conducting an internal investigation. Arrow manager John Viegas says the company still did not know exactly what caused the blowout. He added that the rig is back in operation.
Rig Count Drops By 4
The number of gas and oil drilling rigs working in the U.S. dropped by four to 767 rigs according to numbers released by Baker Hughes on Nov. 13.
The Houston-based oilfield services company says it is the 11th time in 12 weeks it has fallen and remains its lowest since April 2002. However, the number of rigs drilling for oil increased for the first time in 11 weeks.
The company says 574 were drilling for oil and 193 explored for natural gas.
Texas and California each lost two rigs, while Louisiana, North Dakota and Colorado each lost one. Unchanged were Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Ohio, West Virginia, Alaska, Utah and Arkansas.
New Mexico edged up one and Oklahoma went up two.
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