Freezing Weather Is Always a Risk in the Patch

We’re no strangers to cold weather in North Dakota. While some days this February have been practically balmy compared to years past (more like April than February), the forecast shows we still have a few cold weeks ahead. This kind of cold can wreak all sorts of havoc, and oil fields are no exception.

Recently, 7,159 barrels of produced water and 829 barrels of crude oil were spilled in parts of Dunn, McKenzie, Mountrail and Moberg counties. Inforum reports that “while the incidents are under investigation, leaks from water injector lines and equipment and pipe failure from freezing weather were partly responsible for the spills.” The good news is no one was hurt.

But that doesn’t mean the risks aren’t real. Oil fields are dangerous places in the best weather; when you start adding in snow, ice, or a sudden deep freeze, the risks can increase exponentially.

What are the most common cold-related injuries for oil field workers?

There are three common, serious injuries that workers may sustain:

• Frostbite. Frostbite occurs when the skin and tissues freeze, potentially causing lasting harm and, in severe cases, amputation. Those not dressed appropriately for extremely cold weather face an increased risk of frostbite. Symptoms include red skin with gray/white patches in fingers, toes, nose, or ear lobes. Affected areas may tingle, ache, lose feeling, become firm/hard, and develop blisters.
• Trench foot. Trench foot is an injury resulting from prolonged exposure to wet and cold conditions, even in temperatures as high as 60°F if feet remain constantly wet. The injury occurs because wet feet lose heat 25 times faster than dry feet. Symptoms of trench foot include skin redness, numbness, tingling, pain, swelling, leg cramps, blisters, bleeding under the skin, and possible gangrene.
• Hypothermia. Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature drops below 95°F due to exposure to cold, causing the body to lose heat faster than it can generate. Prolonged exposure to cold depletes the body’s stored energy, resulting in abnormally low body temperature. Uncontrollable shivering is a mild sign, while moderate to severe symptoms include loss of coordination, confusion, slurred speech, slowed heart rate/breathing, unconsciousness, and potential death. Low body temperature affects the brain by impairing clear thinking and movement, making hypothermia particularly deadly as the affected person may not realize what is happening and be unable to take action.

Injuries such as these illustrate why it is critical to wear appropriate protective gear.

How cold weather can cause accidents in oil fields

Freezing temperatures affect more than just workers, and most of the folks in the patch know how to dress for that weather. It’s the way the freezes affect the field and the equipment that really put workers at risk.

Frost heave can crack anything underground. Once the freeze gets into the ground, all hell breaks loose down there. We’ll bet you anything that the pipeline issues that spilled all that oil and water were the result of frost heave; Jan 11-18th was the coldest week on record in North Dakota for 2024. One environmental group said that frost heave was to blame “for 82% of all cold-weather pipeline incidents in the United States from 1984 to 2020.”

Now, it’s not necessarily that the frost heave itself poses a risk to workers – but a busted pipeline does. That has to be fixed quickly and carefully, and a mistake (or a defective tool) can lead to a blowout or even an explosion. It can also disrupt the ground around the rig or the well, which can make working on them unsafe because the platforms aren’t stable. So, there’s a fall risk there, too.

Freezing weather can also affect tools. Anyone who lives here knows you’re not using a battery-powered anything in sub-zero temperatures (though admittedly, we’d love to hear stories about oil and gas guys trying to use battery-powered tools ANYWHERE in the field). But your fuel can get sludgy or even freeze, and all it takes is one frustrated worker messing with a saw to send some combustible dust into the air, or to ping something metal and cause a spark, and whoosh! Fireball. Pretty easy to lose a hand messing with power tools while distracted or angry, so take a deep breath before you try anything.

Even getting in and out the patch can be dangerous. You know what the number one cause of injuries is in the oil and gas industry? Transportation accidents. Leased roads are already a nightmare before you add snow, and if they’re gravel, they’re even worse. Cold weather can be tough on trucks, and it’s even tougher on roads. There’s always a risk of hitting black ice and sliding with a trailer full of flammable crude or even dirty water can have catastrophic results. Throw in some low visibility and you’re in for a dangerous ride.

If you’re an oil field worker who has endured injuries while working in the field, Larson Law is here to advocate for your rights. Call us in Minot, Fargo, or Bismarck or complete our contact page to schedule a free consultation. We handle accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid until you do.