Three oilfield workers are being treated for severe burns, following a pipeline fire last Thursday at a PDC Energy well site in Weld County, Colorado.
DCP Midstream’s Pipeline Erupted After Buildup of Gas
The gas pipeline, operated by DCP Midstream, erupted in flames around 3:30 p.m. at a well site owned by PDC Energy, about 10 miles east of Galeton.
Workers were attempting to clear a buildup of gas in the pipeline when the fire broke out. The buildup contributed to a “flashover fire”, injuring three workers and damaging two trucks.
Witnesses reported seeing a ball of flames, followed by a plume of smoke coming from the area.
One DCP Employee & Two Contractors were Transported to Hospital
Two of the injured men were airlifted to North Colorado Medical Center, while a third was taken to the same hospital via ambulance. All are being treated “for various levels of burns.”
“They were definitely in bad shape. They have severe burns,” Chief James Dilka, of the Briggsdale Fire Protection District, told the Denver Post.
One of the injured men worked for DCP Midstream and the two others were contractors. Their names and conditions have not been released.
No PDC Energy employees were hurt and all were accounted for.
Cause of Pipeline Fire Still Under Investigation
The flashover sparked a grass fire that burned about a half-acre. A 3-mile section of Weld County Road 71 at Colo. 392 was closed for a time because of the blaze.
PDC Energy shut-in all nearby wells after first responders determined that it was safe to do so.
A dozen firefighters responded to the scene, along with two engines, two grass trucks and two fire tenders. It took crews about 15 minutes to bring the fire under control.
The incident is being characterized as an industrial accident and the cause is currently under investigation.
Investigators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Colorado Oil and Gas Commission arrived on the scene Friday.
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