? concerning oil well fires in Arabia- esp. for service members

[DZink24]

I can remember back during the early 90's, during and immediately after Desert shield/storm that there were thousands of raging oil wells on fire, due to sabotage and bombing. These well fires were like giant blowtorches, consuming oil 24/7/365. Capping them was incredibly dangerous, I remember ads from private companies offering salaries of 100k + per year to go over and work to shut them off. Does anyone out there know the status of these issues? Anyone on here been over there recently, seen or heard anything about how many are still burning? (not neccessarily for the last 17 years, but recently also)

 

[Tom W]

If I remember right, all the fires were out and the wells capped within one year.

 

[JRBurton]

I believe you are correct Tom, all fires where etxtinguished just short of a year or there abouts. I was over in 2005, I did see fires at wells but never could get close enough to know wether it was actually an oil well fire or just burning off excess. I did see a lot of flames coming out of stacks at oil refineries and chemical plants. Let me tell you it really did smell, especialy of gas fumes, and you could smell it from a few miles away.

 

[DennyDay]

The fires were in Kuwait not Saudi Arabia, two of the three US companies have closed the doors Boots & Coots and Adair Wild Well Control (Red died and son didn't want to continue. ) Wild Well Control is still around, (North of Houston) and there is a Colorado outfit may still be around. I dont know who did the Louisiana well Fire (next to I-10) last fall. Williams Fire Control in Mauriceville is the player in the business and they do all industrial fire fighting. If you arre looking for a fire fighting job, check Industrial Fire World in College Station Texas 979. 690. 7559 for leads. Finding something in Oil Well blow out control is next to impossible - - When was the last time you heard of an Oil Well blowout?



JRBurton - - You are right, the smoke you saw in Saudi was natural gas and other light ends being burned off, same at the refineries in the Middle East - - no EPA or air boards over there.



Keep in mind, if oil prices ever go back down to the $30. 00 range, we don't have the refining capacity to supply what America can use - the hasn't been a refinery built since the 70's, and the western states have refused to issue building permits to modify existing facilities.



I thinkwe will enjoy $4. and $5. fuel before very long.



Denny