While the COVID-19 pandemic briefly put a crimp in the value of crude oil, 2021 saw a jump in price as demand increased. Why? People started driving to their offices, no longer having the work-at-home luxury. Gas pump prices rose. Cold winters throughout the nation put pressure on heating oil. And weaker drilling activity, combined with lackluster U.S. investment in oil refiners, simply couldn’t meet demand. The current import of oil continues to be challenged by geopolitical concerns… so much focus has returned to U.S. oil and gas supply.
As demand for U.S. oil and gas products increases, so does the need for the trucking industry’s involvement. It is a necessary part of doing business; yet, the big oil and gas conglomerates need to be more cognizant of trucking safety when deploying their drivers. While just 4% of all oil products are delivered by truck, this mode of transportation is disproportionately dangerous, as truckers drive highway miles with hazardous cargo. And there are many other truck types deployed for oil drilling activity in general; Colorado trucking accident stats are higher with oil & gas trucking on the road.
State of Colorado understands oil industry demands
The state of Colorado understood the demands of the oil industry and the truck traffic on local roadways, assigning a Colorado Oil and Gas Task Force, established by Executive Order B 2014-005 (Appendix A1) signed by Governor John W. Hickenlooper on September 8, 2014. The taskforce assessed oil and gas trucking operations in the state, which have been continually evolving.
There have been considerable changes in drilling techniques and geographic focus since the 2010 Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) research study on Energy Development and the Transportation System. As of December 2014, Colorado had about 53,000 active wells. Virtually all active drilling and exploration companies in Colorado employ extended lateral horizontal drilling and fracking techniques, which generate considerably different truck activity than traditional vertical drilling.
According to the CDOT, truck drivers will be behind the wheel of the following types of motor carriers in the state:
Types of Trucks Used For Oil and Gas Activity
| Acid Pump | Derrick | Mud Boat | Shaker Skid |
| Acid Tanker | Draw Works | Mud Pump | Shaker Tank/Pit |
| Cement Pump | Frac Tank | Mud Tank | Substructure, etc. |
| Cement Truck | Fuel Tanker | Oil Tanker | Suction Tank |
| Chemical Tanker | Generator House | Pickup | Tool Room/Junk Box |
| Choke Manifold | Gravel Haul Truck | Pipe Haul Truck | VFD House |
| Construction Equip. Haul Truck | Hydraulic Unit | Pump Truck | Water Tanker |
| Control Van | Light Plan | Sand Haul Truck | Wireline |
| Crown Section | MCC House | Screen House | Workover Rig |
As evidenced by the above, there are a slew of commercial motor vehicles traversing the highways in our state… all for the cause of O&G development. And many of these big rigs are traversing mountain passes or driving in snowy conditions that can last from September to May – which can cause many a Colorado trucking accident.
In a report from the Colorado Oil and Gas Task Force, there was “uniform agreement that one of the most serious impacts of O&G activity involves the use of large trucks and trailers.” Thankfully, Colorado has introduced a number of highway safety measures to help mitigate the risks like runaway truck ramps and brake signage for long declines.
Persistence of truck crashes in the oil and gas industry
Due to the large volumes of equipment, water, sand, and chemicals used in the O&G process, highways, byways, major roads and even minor local roads may be affected. Some experts estimate that nearly 6,600 truck trips may be required over the lifetime of a fracking operation. And there is no doubt that trip frequency alone will lead to more accidents, which says nothing for the introduction of new extraction sites that will inevitably lead to increased traffic.
A 2015 study showed a 10% spike in traffic accidents for every 10 new wells; consistent with this trend, a second 2015 study showed traffic accidents increased a full 26% between 2009 and 2013 — with deadly crash numbers increasing a staggering 49% — after fracking operations moved into an area in rural south Texas. Dubbed the “the nation’s deadliest amid a fracking boom,” this south Texas town is not an isolated incident; an Associated Press analysis confirmed similar trends in six states with significant oil or gas development. Many a Colorado trucking accident is also attributable to the introduction of new oil and gas drilling in the state.
Deadly crashes are “recognized as one of the key risk areas of the business.”
Marvin Odum, who runs Royal Dutch Shell’s exploration operations in the Americas
How can oil and gas companies mitigate the number of Colorado trucking accidents?
- Large oil and gas companies must not put profits over people. Instead the industry should spend time and resources to educate their drivers, deploy safety protocols and offer safe driver incentives. Reconsider tight schedules, which would reduce speeding and driving in inclement weather.
- Work to reduce traffic issues on local roads, working with local law enforcement, city planning, etc. to address needs of O&G transportation with minimal impact on normal flow of traffic.
- Recycle more drilling water and build more pipelines to transport water.
- Follow the Federal rules that limit the amount of time most truckers can stay on the road. Rules have proven less stringent for drivers in the oil and gas industry. “These exemptions make Swiss cheese out of safety regulations,” said Jackie Gillan, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.
- Consider the use of other transportation modes, including pipelines, train transport, whenever it is feasible. These transportation measures are proven to be safer than trucking, particularly with respect to flammable and/or hazardous materials.
At the end of the day, minimizing risk and maximizing safety on our roads is the ultimate goal. Oil and gas companies and their trucking fleets need to do their part.
We can answer questions about the oil and gas trucking industry
If you would like to speak to a trucking attorney about your case, The Law Office of Peter M. Anderson and Colorado Truck Accidents may be able to help. We are experienced advocates individuals injured in a Colorado trucking accident, including those in the oil and gas industry. We fight large truck carriers and their insurance companies to recover clients’ medical costs, wage loss, long-term injuries and physical impairments… allowing our clients to focus on getting the care they need instead of on the legal battle. Call us today for a free consultation.