This information is preliminary and subject to change.

Released: November 3, 2026

On October 6, 2026, about 1:02 p.m. local time, natural gas released and subsequently ignited at the Riley Loop gathering pipeline receiving facility, in Lea County, New Mexico. [1] (See figure.) The receiving facility was owned and operated by Targa Resources Corporation (Targa) through their wholly owned subsidiary, Targa Resources LLC. [2] Two maintenance workers at the receiving facility were fatally injured by the fire. One of the maintenance ​workers was an employee of Targa and the other a contractor employed by CKG Services LLC, working for Targa. [3] Targa emergency responders closed the discharge valves of the gathering pipeline about 2:30 p.m. and depressurized the receiver about 5:10 p.m. The Eunice Fire Department extinguished the fire about 5:34 p.m. At the time of the accident, visibility conditions were sunny and clear with a light breeze; the weather was 84°F with no precipitation.

The receiver was part of a Type C gathering pipeline. [4] The receiver barrel was used for the safe removal of pigs which was done through the receiver door of the receiver barrel. [5]

On the day before the accident, a Targa supervisor at the receiving facility suspected a leak and isolated the receiver barrel by closing the associated valves. On the day of the accident, the Targa maintenance worker was assigned the work of identifying and repairing the leak and the contractor from CKG Services was assisting him. The maintenance workers suspected that they may need to replace the O-rings on the door of the receiver barrel to repair the leak. [6] Another Targa employee delivered the replacement O-rings to the maintenance workers at the receiving facility and left before the accident. The natural gas release and fire happened during maintenance work on the door of the receiver barrel.

After the accident, National Transportation Safety Board investigators found that the receiver had moved from its original position. The normal operating pressure of the gathering pipeline was 1275 pounds per square inch gauge. At the time of the accident, the gathering pipeline was operating at 1210 pounds per square inch gauge.

All aspects of this accident remain under investigation while the National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause and ways to prevent similar accidents.

Parties to the investigation include:

• the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration;
• the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission;
• the State of New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau;
• Targa Resources LLC;
• CKG, and;
• Weldfit. [7]

[1](a) All times in this report are local. (b) The Riley Loop gathering pipeline is located in the Permian Basin in Lea County, New Mexico. The gathering pipeline receives natural gas from wells, separates the natural gas from water and other impurities, and then sends the natural gas to processing plants. (c) The receiving facility contains the receiver which is used for the maintenance and inspection of the gathering pipeline.

[2](a) Targa Resources Corporation, an energy company which owns and operates infrastructure used to gather, process, transport, and distribute natural gas, is the parent company of Targa Resources LLC. (b) Targa Resources LLC is an energy infrastructure company.

[3] CKG Services LLC is a contracting company that provides maintenance services for oil and gas operators.

[4] According to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Board, a Type C gas gathering pipeline is located in a Class 1 location and has a specific size and pressure threshold. Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations 192.5 defines a Class 1 location as an offshore area or any class location unit with 10 or fewer buildings intended for human occupancy.

[5] A pig is an internal device used for the maintenance and inspection of gathering pipelines and is retrieved through the receiver barrel.

[6] An O-ring is a mechanical gasket that prevents leaks in gathering pipelines.

[7] Weldfit is a Texas-based company that provides products and services to the pipeline industry.