Chevron tank explosion shuts down Californian wells producing 15,000 barrels a day
03 December 2012
Chevron has responded to November 29’s oil tank explosion in Lost Hills by shutting down oil and gas production equivalent to almost 15,000 barrels per day, or about 9% of its total California output.
The explosion, which county firefighters estimate caused $10 million in damage, destroyed a 5,000-barrel oil tank used to separate oil from water and impurities during pumping.
A spokesperson said production from the Lost Hills field would remain shut until it could be brought back on line safely.
Local authorities said no one was injured in the blast, which sent the tank's roof flying 150 feet away. They said two nearby tanks were damaged.
The California Energy Commission and Cal-OSHA said they were not investigating the explosion, the latter because no workers were hurt. County officials said they are helping coordinate an investigation being led by Chevron.
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