into the atmosphere over several days, surfacing at multiple areas of a drill pad, before ConocoPhillips directed the escaping gas to the Alpine gas processing facility, where it was captured. There were no reports of injuries during the leak, but it caused the temporary
The Environmental Protection Agency is also conducting an investigation into the event, according to theConocoPhillips is reviewing the commission’s notice and its findings from its investigation, said Rebecca Boys, a spokeswoman with the oil company. Brett Huber, chair of the commission, said the nearly $1 million proposed civil penalty comes after the agency’s investigation into the causes of the incident and aHuber said Conoco “was at all times cooperative” with the agency during the investigation, participated in the hearing, and voluntarily implemented new policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
around a portion of the WD-03 waste disposal well where the blowout occurred. The cement would have provided additional protection to prevent a leak.