Gas flares caused two North African forest fires in October, report finds | News, Sports, Work

Submitted photo. The North Dakota State Fire Marshal’s Office has identified a flare pipe at this well site, captured by a fire department drone, as the cause of the Midnight Run wildfire near Keene in McKenzie County on Oct. 5.

A report released by the state fire marshal identified the cause of two wildfires that swept through western North Dakota in October as heat from natural gas flares combined with high winds and dry vegetation.

Investigations into the Midnight Run fire near Keene and the Dinwoodie fire near Newtown, which broke out on Oct. 5, found both were caused by flares at oil and gas wells operated by ConocoPhillips and Hess Corp., according to the report. and are located next to agricultural land.

According to the report, the investigation considered a number of hypotheses, but ruled out arson, improper disposal of cigarettes, possible electrocution and vehicles or farm equipment. The final conclusion was made after an examination of the fire scene and witness statements that the heat from the flare tubes came into contact with dry vegetation, and underground fuel caused the ignition.

The fires in McKenzie County broke out just hours before state regulators asked oil operators to voluntarily shut down oil and gas wells in high fire danger zones, according to reports.

The Midnight Run Fire spread quickly after 3:00 p.m. Oct. 5 near Highway 1806 due to high winds and dry conditions, covering about 7,000 acres in McKenzie County.

The general area of ​​origin was identified as grassy vegetation and a field of dry wheat stubble adjacent to the well pad leased by ConocoPhillips, with the report identifying a flare pipe 53 feet from the point of origin. The report said investigators made numerous unsuccessful attempts to interview or speak with ConocoPhillips officials.

Dinwoody ignited at about 5:30 p.m., spreading southwest for several miles and eventually affecting about 2,048 acres. The general area of ​​origin was a canola stubble field 310 feet from the flare stack at the Hess pad. At the time of the fire, there were five oil wells and one flare tube with two tips on site.

Flares at the site could range in size from 6 to 60 feet, according to the report, depending on the amount of gas flow, although Hess officials said in an interview that the site would not be able to reach 60-foot flares.

The investigators noted that during the inspection of the scene on October 9, the pressure suddenly changed in the flare pipe, which led to an explosion or “eructation”, causing the flare to grow and emit black smoke.

Hess officials said the Dinwoodie site had not recorded any “eructation” incidents that day that cause hot oil or carbon particles to be released due to pressure surges. However, company officials said the temperature of the pilot flash during the fire was slightly higher than the normal temperature range of 1,200-1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.

The state fire marshal is finalizing additional reports on wildfires in Williams County that have left two dead and six injured. The US Forest Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are currently investigating the Elkhorn and Bear Den fires on the Fort Berthold Reservation.