Aug. 21--CROUCH MESA -- More than 40 jobs are at risk after Key Energy Services closed its Four Corners pressure pumping station Wednesday afternoon.

The Houston-based company will relocate the pressure pumping operations to Midland, Texas, where many local workers will have the option of transferring, a local Key Energy official said. Other employees may transfer to other Key Energy operations in Farmington.

Some jobs, however, likely will be cut permanently from the Crouch Mesa station on County Road 3720, but that number remains unknown.

"I don't know for sure yet. They're talking with the employees right now," said a local company official, who was not authorized to discuss the station's closing with the media.

Key Energy Services spokeswoman Lesa Carter did not immediately return calls for comment.

To ensure Wednesday's closing announcement was handled civilly, the company arranged to have Farmington Police on scene at the time, Farmington Deputy Chief Kyle Westall said.

"I think the police were just standing

by so that tempers didn't fly that much," he said.

Police reported no hostile interactions with the Key Energy workers.

A security officer will guard the station for at least another week while the company removes its equipment.

Key Energy Services employs more than 600 workers in the Four Corners area, according to San Juan Economic Development Service data.

The Key Energy station on Crouch Mesa was the company's only pressure pumping station in New Mexico.

James Monteleone: jmonteleone@daily-times.com

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