Update: Company Issues Release on Wellhead

Posted: Mar 31, 2011 2:29 PM by Tonya LaCoste
Updated: Mar 31, 2011 5:08 PM

Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Lt. Craig Stansbury confirms one person is dead as a result of the gas wellhead pipe rupture on E. Leblanc Rd. in Lafayette Parish near Maurice. State Trooper Stephen Hammons says two others are injured - both are in stable condition. A spokesperson with Hilcorp Energy Company says the company will release information soon. The state police hazardous materials team is on the scene. Stansbury says evacuations are not called for since the wellhead is secluded.

Hilcorp has released the following statement:

Hilcorp Energy Company has had an incident occur at an Oil and Gas Production Facility near Lafayette, Louisiana. The incident occurred around 12:30 pm on March 31st. While information regarding the incident is still being gathered, initial reports indicate that there is one fatality and one person with injuries. The names of those employees are not yet available pending notification of their family members. We are deeply saddened by the death and injuries which occurred during this incident and our thoughts and prayers are with our employees and their families. We at Hilcorp pride ourselves on our operational integrity and the safety of our personnel and deeply regret this unfortunate accident. The cause of the incident has not been determined pending a full investigation.
The incident appears to have involved operations being conducted on a gas well. Hilcorp will continue to work closely with all federal, state, and local agencies involved in the investigation of this unfortunate accident.