"The government's inquiry involved production practices, not environmental, health or safety matters," Crabtree wrote. "Berry has and will continue to fully cooperate with the investigation making its personnel available and providing all information and documentation."

Crabtree said after being contacted by the BLM, Berry conducted a review of its production practices and "implemented measures to ensure full compliance with regulations."

Quinex production foreman Paul Wells said his company was contacted by the BLM because the agency found equalization valves that he said had been installed "backwards."

"The issues that they had with us have been resolved and they've been very good to work with," said Wells, who characterized the incident as "living the spirit of the law, but not the letter of the law."

Federal investigators have not said when their inquiry might be completed.

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E-mail: geoff@ubstandard.com