A three-man Team crew from a West Texas Service Center stopped a deadly hydrogen sulfide gas leak from a wellhead after attempts by a major oil field service company to kill the well had failed.

The leak began when an oil field service crew accidentally fractured a two-inch nipple on the side of an injection wellhead.

A flow of both water and deadly hydrogen sulfide gas spewed from the broken nipple at 450 psi at a flow rate of 700-800 bbl/hr.

Hydrogen sulfide readings reached 14,000 parts per million (ppm). Since 700 (ppm) is considered lethal, a serious situation developed quickly forcing local officials to evacuate more than 1,500 residents within a one-mile radius of the well.

When attempts by an oil field service company to kill the well failed, local officials contacted Team's West Texas office for assistance.

Utilizing breathing air tanks, masks, and protective suits, three Team personnel successfully removed the broken nipple, rigged an 18-inch high pressure swage with a positive seal block valve, chained the rigging to the blowout preventer (BOP) for support, and made up the connection. The job took four hours.

Law enforcement and emergency response officials complimented Team for their fast response.