Continental Resources Statement on Watonga Well Incident

ENID, Okla., Sept. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- September 19th at approximately 10 p.m. a well fire was reported while drilling the Moseley 1-5H approximately 3 miles East and 3 miles South of Watonga in Blaine County, Oklahoma.  No injuries were reported.

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The well is burning natural gas and is currently contained to one location. Wild Well Control is on location and additional resources are being brought to the site.  The well will continue with a managed burn, which is the safest course of action. It is possible the well could continue to burn for several days before the damaged rig can be cleared and the fire is extinguished.

First responders were released after several hours. Originally a two-mile perimeter around the well was set up and 7-8 homes were evacuated. The perimeter has been moved to within one-mile for public safety.

Representatives from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission are on site and the Bureau of Land Management and other agencies have been notified.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Patterson-UTI Drilling, LLC owns and operates the drilling rig. Continental Resources is the operator of the well. The rig involved in the incident is Patterson 179.

For More Information:
Kristin Miskovsky
Vice President, Public Relations
405-706-5642

SOURCE Continental Resources