Small Wyoming town evacuated after gas explosion
Small Wyoming town evacuated after gas explosion, Residents of Opal, about 100 miles northeast of Salt Lake City, went to an area about 3 miles outside of town as a precaution, said Lincoln County spokesman Stephen Malik. The town has about 95 residents.
"The gas has been shut off, but they just want to make sure that nobody gets affected by any smoke or anything that goes toward the town," Malik said.
No structures in the town were affected, and the fire was confined to the facility operated by pipeline operator Williams Partners LP, Malik said. Williams is based in Tulsa, Okla.
The explosion occurred in the plant's cryogenic processing tower, a structure that chills unrefined natural gas to separate out impurities.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
We want to make sure everybody's taken care of and they're put up for the night if they're not able to go back to their houses," Swaner said.
"Since nobody's on site, it's going to take some time before we can begin our investigation," Swaner said.
"The gas has been shut off, but they just want to make sure that nobody gets affected by any smoke or anything that goes toward the town," Malik said.
No structures in the town were affected, and the fire was confined to the facility operated by pipeline operator Williams Partners LP, Malik said. Williams is based in Tulsa, Okla.
The explosion occurred in the plant's cryogenic processing tower, a structure that chills unrefined natural gas to separate out impurities.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
All employees at the gas processing plant were accounted for, Williams spokesman Tom Droege said. The cause of the explosion wasn't immediately known.
The blast was reported at about 2 p.m., and the fire continued to burn into the evening. Williams spokeswoman Michele Swaner said it was being allowed to burn itself out.
The gas processing plant in Opal removes carbon dioxide and other impurities from natural gas that comes from gas fields in the region. It sends 1.5 billion cubic feet of refined gas per day into pipelines that go to urban centers to the east, west and south.
The Opal Hub, where regional pipelines converge, is the principal spot where prices are set for natural gas produced from the large natural gas fields in central Wyoming. The plant makes Opal perhaps best known as a regional gas-pricing hub. Government officials and industry insiders closely watch Opal hub prices to monitor trends with regional gas supply and demand.
Williams operates the Northwest Pipeline, which runs through Opal on its way to the Pacific Northwest. An explosion in March at a liquefied natural gas facility operated by Williams on the Washington-Oregon border injured five employees.
The company was paying to lodge Opal residents at the Little America resort in Little America, about 25 miles east of Opal, and at a Best Western in Kemmerer, about 15 miles to the west.
We want to make sure everybody's taken care of and they're put up for the night if they're not able to go back to their houses," Swaner said.
"Since nobody's on site, it's going to take some time before we can begin our investigation," Swaner said.
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Small Wyoming town evacuated after gas explosion
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