OSHA Inspection: ENERGY SERVICE COMPANY OF BOWIE INC.

Issued

Aug 14, 1998

Abate by

Aug 14, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1)
The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which
were
free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or
serious physical
harm to employees in that employees were exposed to:   Employees of Energy
Service
Company, a sub contractor to Mitchell Energy Corporation, were involved in
an oil rig fire
that occurred on May 6, 1998.  The employees were required to perform work
at the well
head, Carl V. Cheves #2, located in East Risch (Caddo Congl.) field, Wise
County, Texas.
The employees were exposed to the hazards of natural gas/fluid (oil)
igniting causing a fire
and/or explosion, for they were not provided protection that ensured all
vehicles, including
but not limited to transport, rig, company and hot oilers, to be properly
positioned away
from the well to remove potential ignition sources.
Among methods of abatement, one feasible and acceptable method to abate
these
conditions
would be for the employer to enforce his own policies and/or abide by the
American
Petroleum Institute Recommended Practices #54; or the Association of
Energy Service
Companies, which the employer has adopted.  The "Recommended" Industry
practice is to
position all vehicles (Company trucks as well as Hot Oil trucks) at least
100 feet from the
well bore.

Issued

Aug 14, 1998

Abate by

Aug 14, 1998

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,500

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1)
The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which
were
free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or
serious physical
harm to employees in that employees were exposed to:
(a)  On May 6, 1998, a crew of 4, employed by Energy Service Company, a sub
contractor of Mitchell Energy Corporation, were working at the Carl V.
Cheves #2 well,
when oil and gas spewing from the BOP caught fire.  The employer had
developed a
worksite safety and health program, but did not implement this program.
(b)  On May 6, 1998, a crew of 4 from Energy Service Company arrived at
the Carl
V. Cheves, #2 well, located in East Risch (Caddo Congl.) field, Wise
County, Texas.  The
crew was pulling tubing and installing a Guiberson 6" 900 series A1 manual
type BOP.  The
crew and/or the rig operator, did not perform a funtional test or a
pressure test on the BOP
prior to using it.  The well started spewing oil and gas from the BOP, the
crew was
attempting to close the BOP, when the oil and gas ignited.
Among methods of abatement, one feasible and acceptable method to abate
these conditions:
a)  Employer needs to develop and implement methods to ensure all
employees are
familiar and knowledgeable in the companies safe work practices and
procedures.
b)  Employer needs to enforce his own policies and/or abide by the
"recommended
guidelines/practices" that are set from the American Petroleum Institute,
#54 or from the
Association of Energy Service Companies.