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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.
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Last modified: May 25, 2011