An explosion killed three people and injured one on Wednesday at an oil and gas field in West Texas owned and operated by Parsley Energy Inc.”Our thoughts are with the families,” Lisa Elliott of Parsley said of the accident on Tuesday in Upton County, Texas.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said it was investigating the rig explosion about 50 miles south of Midland that involved contractors at Mason Well Service firm. [Reuters]

Construction for the first US  offshore wind farm could begin this summer after Deepwater Wind secured $290m financing for a scheme off Rhode Island. “Following the announcement late last week, Alstom on Monday confirmed it will be supplying five of its Haliade 6MW offshore wind turbines to the project, known as the Block Island Wind Farm.

The Cape Wind scheme off the coast of Massachusetts has faced repeated legal battles with local fishing communities and Native Americans during its 13 year development.” [The Guardian]

Shares in Cairn Energy dropped 18.3% on Wednesday following an announcement that it must pay a $1.6bn fine for unpaid tax in India.”The Edinburgh-based oil exploration company is contesting the claim.

It has has been trying to exit India’s oil market, where it made a fortune for shareholders, for over a year.The firm still owns a 10% shareholding in its Indian subsidiary, Cairn India, which the Indian tax authorities insist it retains.” [BBC News]