On January 22, 2018, a catastrophic blowout and explosion killed five people on Respondent’s oil rig located at Section 17-7N-18E, Quinton, Oklahoma (“Worksite”). The explosion occurred shortly after Respondent completed an operation to remove a worn-out drill bit from the bottom of a horizontal natural gas well owned by Red Mountain Energy. Throughout the course of the previous day, as well as during the hours and minutes leading up to the explosion, the well showed signs that natural gas was entering the wellbore. While natural gas entering the wellbore is not unusual during the drilling process, it can become hazardous if not kept under control. This case concerns whether Respondent fulfilled its obligation under the general duty clause to provide employment and a place of employment that was free from the recognized hazards of fire and explosion resulting from a loss of well control. Although Complainant established the existence of a recognized hazard that ultimately caused the death of five people, the Court finds Complainant failed to prove Respondent’s existing methods of abatement were inadequate or more effective means were available to free the workplace of the hazard.