NGL Energy Partners Blowout Sends Water Into Ditch
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- NGL Energy Partners experienced a blowout when a one‑inch nipple on a high‑pressure water injection line ruptured, releasing about 40 barrels of produced water at its Carlsbad site.
- Jackie Onsurez, an engineer on the New Mexico State Emergency Response Commission, observed the 70‑foot geyser, called NGL, 911, and the New Mexico Environment Department, and stayed on scene for roughly 30 minutes while fire crews and NGL personnel responded.
- Alisa Ogden, a Carlsbad rancher and member of the Soil and Water Conservation District, was alerted by Onsurez and helped prevent the contaminated water from reaching the Pecos River by coordinating with local authorities.
- New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department reported that NGL collected samples from the drainage ditch and expects to receive analysis results later this week.
- Produced water resulted in roughly 30 barrels flowing into a roadside ditch, while only 10 barrels were recovered.
Why it matters: Local farmers and ranchers risk losing clean acequias water, while NGL must manage a 30‑barrel discharge that entered a roadside ditch and risk reaching the Pecos River, highlighting the environmental stakes of oilfield operations.
