Oil Rig Explodes in Northwest Oklahoma, Injuring 1

Authorities say one person was burned when an oil rig exploded in northwestern Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Corporation Commission spokesman Matt Skinner says the blast occurred about noon on March 19 near Dacoma in Woods County. Skinner says the well is operated by Tulsa-based Eagle Energy Co., and Dan D Drilling was contracted to do the drilling.

Skinner says investigators haven’t determined what caused the blast but preliminary reports indicate a gas pocket may have been hit, causing the rig to ignite.

He says the worker was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital, but he didn’t know the man’s name or condition.

He referred additional comment to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which didn’t immediately return a message seeking comment.

Calls to Eagle Energy’s offices weren’t immediately returned Saturday afternoon.