Regulator ensuring company takes 'swift and effective action to protect public safety and environment'
HWN Energy Ltd. confirms that a fire at a natural gas well site north of Cochrane, Alberta, has been extinguished following an explosion that injured five contractor personnel. The incident, which occurred on Monday, September 30, resulted from what the company describes as a "well control incident." Emergency response teams, regulatory agencies, and company experts have since worked to bring the situation under control.
In a press release, HWN Energy states, "the safety of our employees, contractors, and the local community is our top priority." The company explains that it mobilized industry experts and specialized equipment shortly after the explosion to restore control of the well while also evacuating non-essential personnel from the site and setting up an exclusion zone.
— Chris Ratzlaff 🇨🇦 (@ratzlaff) September 30, 2024
Video of the explosion and fire was posted to social media on Monday showing flames shooting high and a large plume of black smoke billowing into the air.
I think a pumpjack might have exploded just off of Big Hill Springs road, north of Cochrane pic.twitter.com/HOBthpbQ6X
— Chris Ratzlaff 🇨🇦 (@ratzlaff) September 30, 2024
By early afternoon on Tuesday, October 1, HWN reports that "the fire was extinguished, and the well was brought under control." Air monitoring remains in place, with HWN adding, "at present, all readings indicate no air quality concerns."
Five workers were transported to the hospital, with Alberta Health Services confirming three suffered life-threatening injuries while two sustained non-life-threatening injuries. HWN Energy expresses its concern for the injured contractors and their families. "Our thoughts are with the five injured contractor personnel and their families. Out of respect for their privacy, HWN will not be commenting on their condition."
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) is actively overseeing HWN Energy's response to the incident. In a statement to Canadian Occupational Safety, the regulator says its “top priority during an incident is to ensure that companies take swift and effective action to protect public safety and the environment." The AER has established roadblocks around the site to restrict access and maintain safety while air monitoring continues.
The AER adds that it "will maintain a presence on-site and continue communication with HWN to ensure that public safety and environmental protection are upheld, and that all regulatory requirements are met." The incident has been posted on the AER's compliance dashboard, although the timeline for the well's closure remains uncertain.
Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is also investigating the explosion and subsequent fire. In a brief statement to Canadian Occupational Safety, the agency acknowledges the seriousness of the situation, saying, "it is always tragic when workers are hurt on the job. Our government’s goal is to have all workers return home safely after every workday." OHS officials have declined to provide further information, citing the active nature of the investigation.
HWN Energy has pledged full cooperation with both the AER and OHS investigations. The company says it will continue to monitor the site and provide updates as new information becomes available.
