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electricity would ignite the oil and gas. CRI ordered four truck
loads of “heavy mud”, which is used to contain uncontrolled wells
by pumping it into the well bore to offset the pressure of the
escaping oil and gas. CRI also contacted a company that had the
necessary tools and equipment to pump the heavy mud to control
the well, but after surveying the scene, that company’s manager
decided it was too dangerous and departed with his crew. CRI
then telephoned Halliburton Services, Inc. (“Halliburton”), and
Halliburton personnel agreed on the phone to control the well.
Halliburton personnel arrived at the well site at approximately
4:00 p.m. However, Halliburton’s supervisory employee in charge
at the well site, Mr. Ken Weitzel, refused to allow Halliburton’s
employees or equipment to get any closer than approximately 200
yards from the wellhead. As a result, Mr. Burditt and volunteers
from the other work crews had to assemble the pipeline from
Halliburton’s equipment to the wellhead. Mr. Burditt and the
volunteers had to do this while being simultaneously sprayed by
the erupting oil and gas, which was so cold that it caused gloves
to freeze, and by hoses of fresh water to reduce the risk of
ignition. It took approximately 30 to 45 minutes to perform the
hookup task under these conditions. When the hookup was
completed, Mr. Weitzel then refused to start pumping the heavy
mud until Mr. Burditt could produce a check for $30,000, which
amount Halliburton believed CRI owed it for past services. A CRI
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Last modified: May 25, 2011