“Ignoring the mud weights used in dozens and dozens of off-set wells and ignoring the expert mud engineering advice provided by more than a half-a-dozen mud companies, Red Mountain, Crescent and Mr. The lawsuit also claims that the man serving as the drilling engineer was not a licensed engineer in Oklahoma at the time of the explosion, and opted to use the lighter mud weight at the site than heavier ones used by nearby wells.Īttorneys say that the company even consulted with several companies that were experts in mud, and they all recommended mud weights “well-above” the mud weight that was chosen. Unconscionably, for the five men who lost their lives, Red Mountain cared more about its investors’ money than the safety of the men who were drilling this well,” the suit claims. Rather than preparing a drilling program with the mud weight proven to be safe and effective in dozens and dozens of other Woodford Wells, Red Mountain chose to use a significantly lighter mud weight that was cheaper and ineffective to control the well. “Incredibly, however, Red Mountain chose to ignore the proven and successful drilling programs of those same ‘off-set wells’ when they prepared the drilling program for the Pryor Well in question. “This suit arises out of yet another tragic preventable incident caused by irresponsible companies working in the oilfield who place money and profit over safety and human life,” the lawsuit claims.Ĭourt documents claim that Red Mountain, the owner and operator of the well, decided to use a lighter drilling mud than what other operators in the area were using in an effort to save money. Now, a lawsuit filed in Pittsburg County District Court claims that the explosion was a direct result of the companies trying to save money and impress investors. It also states that an employee attempted to shut down the well, but could not. The Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s Office indicated that all five died of burns and smoke inhalation.Īn initial report released by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission claims that there was an uncontrolled release of gas that caught fire. Officials with the Pittsburg County Sheriff’s Office say that the remains of all five workers were found in the last place the men were seen working, which is where the fire initially started. Chemical Safety Board interim executive Dr. drilling accident since the 2010 deep-water horizon rig explosion which killed 11 workers,” said U.S. (Top left to right) Josh Ray, Matthew Smith, Cody Risk, (Bottom left to right) Parker Waldridge, and Roger Cunningham. Officials identified the victims as 35-year-old Josh Ray, 29-year-old Matthew Smith, 26-year-old Cody Risk, 60-year-old Parker Waldridge and 55-year-old Roger Cunningham.
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