Oil well blowout is an uncontrolled release of crude oil. Blowouts occur when pressure release systems fail. They can also occur if a spark or flame contacts the oil or for other reasons. Oil well blowouts cause death and catastrophic injuries to workers near the scene of a blowout.

A very common cause of oil blowouts is rock formation pressures around an oil reservoir. Oil can take millions of years to develop. The process involves compression of water and the pressurization of water by layers of sediment on top of carbon-based substances (typically some type of life form). Oil well companies counter the pressure by using mud at the drilling site. If the pressure balance isn’t managed properly, oil, gas, and water can infiltrate the wellbore or even the drill itself. A blowout can then result.

The three kinds of blowouts, according to Petro-Online, that can cause devastating consequences are:

Surface blowouts:- This is the most common kind of oil well blowout. It can harm the oil rig and the surrounding area. It may even cause a deadly or catastrophic explosion. Relief wells are used to control the pressure and fluid balance.

Underground blowouts:- These blowouts are less common. Fluid from high-pressure formations flows to low-pressure formations.

Underground blowouts:- These blowouts are extremely hard to manage.