- 3 - covering a previously completed oil and gas well and obtained authorization to reenter the well. Before perforating the well, CRI needed certain items to complete the well, including a “packer”. A packer is an expandable device that is run either in an open well, in a cased hole, or in tubing to counteract pressure exerted by underground oil and gas and prevent such fluids from flowing vertically. CRI purchased the packer from Lindsey Completion Services, Inc. (“Lindsey”). The Lindsey packer did not function effectively. On October 3, 1988, after attempts to obtain a pressure test of its seals were unsuccessful, the Lindsey packer was removed from the well. Lindsey then provided a replacement packer, which was placed in the well. On October 4, 1988, CRI perforated the well at 9:30 a.m. At approximately 11:00 a.m., the well developed a gas leak at the wellhead,2 which indicated that high pressure was being exerted from the production zone below. As a result of this leak, gas and liquid began escaping into the atmosphere in an uncontrolled manner, a condition referred to as a “blowout”. The well emitted large quantities of gas and oil, placing the lives of the 20 to 30 workers in the surrounding area, as well as Mr. Burditt’s, at imminent risk due to the possibility that a spark from static 2 A “wellhead” is the portion of the well above ground that seals the top of the well onto the surface casing or conductor pipe.Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011