A flash fire Thursday evening at a pig receiving station in Tyler County, WV, injured three people and forced Eureka Hunter Pipeline to shut in a portion of its pipeline system in the area, according to parent Magnum Hunter Resources Corp.

“The initial reports indicate that the fire was fueled by natural gas liquids that ignited in tanks during pipeline pigging operations, but was limited to above ground facilities,” said Houston-based Magnum Hunger. “The pipeline did not rupture and, according to initial inspection, was completely unaffected by the fire. The fire was extinguished by local responding fire department personnel.”

The cause is under investigation.

Eureka’s pipeline system was shut-in as a safety precaution, which affected approximately 2,170 boe/d of production from wells owned and operated by Magnum Hunter subsidiary Triad Hunter. Those wells will be turned back to production following safety inspections and approval from investigators, the company said.

Three people employed by third-party contractors were injured and taken to area hospitals. “The extent of all of their injuries is unknown at this time,” Magnum Hunter said Friday.

Magnum Hunter made its initial investment in the region when it acquired Triad Hunter in 2010, which included Marcellus acreage located in Tyler, Pleasants and Doddridge counties, WV (see Shale Daily, Dec. 28, 2010).