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Oil rigs are highly dangerous locations. Yet, there are dozens of rules and safety procedures in place that minimize the risk of serious injury. That is, until an oil rig explosion occurs. In Houston, oil rig explosions are not necessarily common, but when they do happen, they cause serious injuries and loss of life. Consider some of the most common causes of Houston oil rig explosions.
Anyone injured in an oil rig explosion will likely wonder what went wrong, especially if they did everything they knew to do to remain safe. However, there are simply inherent dangers associated with any type of offshore work, especially in unstable conditions. The following are some of the most common reasons explosions happen.
Fires can cause an explosion to occur. With so much stored oil on the rig, fires are always the largest threat to the location. A single spark can ignite a fire that quickly escalates into a much larger explosion. It may be as simple as welding tools placed too close to flammable substances. A small amount of byproducts catches on fire due to poor containment practices. When it happens, victims face lifelong losses.
Another common cause of oil rig explosions is a blowout. This refers to instances in which an uncontrolled release of oil or gas occurs from a well. This happens when pressure control systems fail to work. These can occur when the rig is subjected to excessive pressure during the drilling process, causing the underground pool of oil to erupt. Whenever the drill encounters a pressurized zone and the drilling mud fails to counteract that pressure, the risk of a blowout is very high. All of that pressurized natural gas can explode into one of the most dangerous types of failures.
Oil rig equipment and processes must follow all OSHA guidelines. Faulty equipment occurs frequently, and when it does, it can be one of the most hazardous situations. Potential defects are a common cause, such as:
In each of these situations, it is necessary to find out where the risk occurred. For example, any of the heavy machinery on an oil rig that does not receive proper routine repairs and maintenance could become a hazard. The conditions these rigs are in throughout the Houston area are highly risky and constantly changing. Failure to maintain the equipment is a common cause of explosions.
However, there are times when equipment is faulty due to manufacturing mistakes or oversights. The equipment failed to function as expected in the extreme conditions for which it was designed, which may have caused the explosion. These are some of the hardest-to-prove cases, but they are still one of the reasons oil rigs explode.
If you have been hurt in an oil rig accident, we encourage you to contact our Houston oil rig accident lawyer. At The Doan Law Firm, we are committed to providing each client with exceptional legal insight in even the most challenging of environments and situations. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.