Phillips Petroleum — Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Plaintiffs alleged in publicly filed U.S. asbestos personal-injury and wrongful-death litigation that workers at Phillips Petroleum Company facilities in Bartlesville, Washington County, Oklahoma — including the company’s headquarters complex, research laboratories, and processing operations — sustained occupational asbestos exposure during petroleum industry operations.

Facility Background

Phillips Petroleum Company, founded in 1917 and headquartered in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, was one of the major integrated petroleum companies of the twentieth century. The Bartlesville complex included the corporate headquarters, research and development laboratories, chemical processing units, and natural gas processing facilities. Phillips later became ConocoPhillips following mergers.

Plaintiffs alleged that industrial research and chemical processing facilities at Bartlesville, and the extensive Oklahoma natural gas gathering and processing network operated by Phillips, involved asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and materials throughout process equipment and steam systems during the mid-twentieth century.

Alleged Asbestos Pathways

Plaintiffs alleged in litigation that asbestos exposure occurred through multiple pathways:

  • Chemical and gas processing facilities: Plaintiffs alleged that workers at Phillips’ Bartlesville processing operations encountered asbestos-containing pipe insulation, vessel insulation, and gaskets throughout process equipment.
  • Research laboratory facilities: Plaintiffs alleged that laboratory and research buildings at the Bartlesville complex used asbestos-containing laboratory hoods, insulation boards, and building materials.
  • Maintenance of utility systems: Plaintiffs alleged that maintenance workers at the Bartlesville campus encountered asbestos pipe covering and boiler insulation during building and utility maintenance.
  • Refinery and gas plant operations: Plaintiffs alleged that workers at Phillips-operated refineries and gas processing plants in Oklahoma encountered asbestos insulation and gaskets throughout process systems.

Oklahoma has a two-year statute of limitations under 12 Okla. Stat. § 95(A)(3), running from the date of mesothelioma diagnosis under the discovery rule. Wrongful death claims carry a two-year limit under 12 Okla. Stat. § 1053.

Workers who were employed at Phillips Petroleum facilities and who have since been diagnosed with mesothelioma or asbestos-related disease may have legal remedies available. Contact O’Brien Law Firm at (314) 237-3332 to discuss your work history and legal options at no cost.