Oilfield company sentenced in worker death case

 

An oilfield services company has pleaded guilty and was sentenced today in US Federal Court in Bismarck on charges related to the death of an oilfield worker, according to the Department of Justice.

The victim, Dustin Payne, worked for Nabors Completion and Production Services at its Williston facility. On October 3, 2014, Payne welded on an uncleaned tanker trailer that had previously carried production or salt water, a liquid waste generated by oil wells and contains flammable chemicals. The tank exploded and Payne was fatally injured. He was 28 years old.

The company was ordered to pay two-point-one million dollars in fine and restitution and undergo a three-year probation, under which OSHA must be allowed to inspect the facilities and equipment of the company, without advance notice, warrant or a specific inspection reason.