Red Mountain Energy responds to lawsuits

Red Mountain Energy has responded to amended lawsuits filed against it and other firms involved in a well blowout and fire near Quinton early this year that killed five workers and seriously hurt a sixth.

The company filed its responses on Friday to amended petitions that previously had been filed in Pittsburg County District Court by attorneys on behalf of at least two of the victims.

Those amended petitions more specifically detailed suspected causes and asserted blames for the incident at the Pryor Trust 0718 1H-9 well on Jan. 22.

The amended filings assert Red Mountain Energy, the well’s owner, had opted to use cheaper, insufficiently weighted drilling mud that couldn’t control the well.

The new filings also included assertions that subcontractors hired by Red Mountain Energy to drill the well erred in various ways leading up to the fatal event.

Red Mountain’s responses rebut many of the assertions. And in a statement issued Tuesday, Red Mountain President Tony Say said many of the amended petitions’ assertions are false and unproven.

Say maintains the company categorically denies that it put profits over people.

“Safe, responsible operations are the top priority at every Red Mountain well, and our deepest sympathies go out to those affected by this tragedy,” Say stated.

“We are confident the legal process will exonerate our company.”