No serious injuries result of Friday morning oil field explosion

Pumpjack at sunset Thursday in Midland. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram Pumpjack at sunset Thursday in Midland. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram Photo: JAMES DURBIN Photo: JAMES DURBIN Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close No serious injuries result of Friday morning oil field explosion 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Updated: Friday, 1:40 p.m. -- No one was seriously injured Friday morning when an OXY USA, Inc. vessel experienced a release of produced water and oil in Martin County.

The release occurred at approximately 1:45 a.m. Friday and residents in Midland and Martin counties both reported hearing something that sounded like a bomb-explosion.

A contract employee working on the vessel was taken to an area hospital as a precaution and released, according to a statement released by Hollen Wheeler of Oxy Permian. OXY immediately mobilized emergency response teams and has begun clean-up activities, according to the statement.

“Safety is OXY USA's primary concern and we are committed to safeguarding the environment and protecting the safety and health of our employees and neighboring communities. We will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the incident and take appropriate measures to prevent incidents in the future,” according to the statement.

Midland emergency personnel are responding to an oil tank explosion that occurred early Friday on North Highway 349 in north Midland.

The explosion occurred in the 7000 block of North Highway 349 and created a loud boom at about 1:45 a.m. Friday, and could be heard throughout the city.

On social media, readers said they could hear the explosion as far as Greenwood and Martin County, and as far north as Andrews County.

It is currently unknown if anyone was injured in the explosion. Emergency personnel were still working the scene as of 3:30 a.m., said Dale Little, Midland County fire marshal.

The Reporter-Telegram will provide more details regarding the incident as soon as possible.