The legal team of oilfield injury lawyers at Schmidt & Clark, LLP is dedicated to protecting the rights of injured oil rig workers and is one of the only firms with knowledge of maritime law willing to pursue justice in these practice areas in Missouri and throughout the entire United States.
Oil and Gas Production in Missouri
Oil was discovered in Missouri shortly after the Civil War ended in 1865 when water wells were being drilled around Kansas City. Although Missouri has limited reserves of traditional hydrocarbons, relatively large deposits of untapped heavy crude oil exist beneath the surface.
The state also has large quantities of "unconventional" energy resources including coalbed methane, oil sand, and oil shale. New technologies and efficient oil production have strengthened Missouri’s economic future and benefited the state through jobs and revenue.
Related Article: Oil Field Accident Lawsuit & Injury Compensations
How Much Oil Does Missouri Have?
Missouri had modest production at around 100,000 barrels per year since the mid-1980s, but that number has been in decline since 2013. In 2021, the state’s annual oil output was 50,000 barrels, down substantially from its peak of 285,000 barrels in 1984. Crude oil is currently produced in Northwestern Missouri near the state’s border with Kansas and Nebraska, and also in Eastern Missouri near St. Louis.
Are There Natural Gas Wells in Missouri?
There are more than 10,000 oil and gas wells in Missouri, according to the Department of Natural Resources. About 4,400 are listed as plugged, meaning that these wells have been properly closed and secured. Another 4,900 or so are listed as abandoned. Others are still active, have been converted into water wells, or are somewhere between designations.
Missouri Energy Quick Facts
- The eastern and western sections of the Rockies Express Pipeline (REX) meet in Northern Missouri.
- In 2021, coal provided 74% of Missouri's electricity net generation, the 2nd-highest of any state.
- Missouri uses nearly 8x more energy than it produces. The state ranks 6th in the U.S. in per capita residential energy consumption.
- Missouri has the 3rd-largest biodiesel production capacity in America - 253 million gallons annually at 8 biodiesel plants.
- In 2021, renewable energy provided nearly 12% of Missouri's total electricity generation, exceeding 10% for the 1st time in the state's history.
Missouri Oil Worker Injured by Dropped Pipe Files Lawsuit Against Coworker
A Missouri worker who was involved in an oil rig accident has filed a negligence claim against his colleague outside of worker's compensation exclusive remedy provisions, according to the journal Business Insurance [1.]. Plaintiff Skyler Leeper was guiding a 500-pound pipe into the tower of a drilling rig in August 2011 when a loose cable caused the pipe to fall and crush his arm.
Mr. Leeper filed the negligence claim against Andy Asmus, who was lifting the pipe with a drilling rig winch at the time of the accident. Leeper claims that Asmus didn't ensure the cable was tight before lifting the pipe.
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Fatal Work Injuries in Missouri
At least 105 fatal work injuries occurred in Missouri in 2020, according to the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). Of these deaths, 96 occurred in private industry sectors. Transportation incidents were the leading event or exposure of fatal work injuries in Missouri in 2020, as they had been in the previous 8 years. Of the 105 total fatal work injuries, 43 were transportation incidents. Most (25) of the transportation incidents were roadway incidents involving motorized land vehicles.
Get a Free Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Missouri Oil Field Accident and Injury Lawyers
The personal injury lawyers at Schmidt & Clark, LLP, have experience dealing with the rights of American oilfield workers, and we are one of the only firms willing to handle oilfield workplace accidents in Missouri and throughout the entire United States.
Again, if you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an oilfield accident in Missouri, you should contact our oil field accident lawyers immediately by using the form below or calling our law firm toll-free 24 hrs/day by dialing (866) 588-0600 to schedule a free case review and legal options.
Clients may be able to recover fair compensation for medical expenses from an oil company in a lawsuit and a personal injury lawyer can help.
