The recent season of the Paramount+ drama Landman delivered one of its most frightening scenes yet: a silent, invisible threat that wiped out a group of hunters and nearly killed an oil crew. This wasn’t a fictional creation for television but a portrayal of a very real and constant danger in the oil fields. The lethal cloud was hydrogen sulfide, a gas commonly known as H2S.
In the show’s third episode, this gas leak created a critical situation for characters like Dale Bradley, highlighting the everyday risks faced by petroleum engineers and landmen. The incident has sparked questions from viewers about what this gas is and how realistic the show’s terrifying depiction truly is.
What Happened in the Landman Gas Leak Scene?
The incident unfolds in Season 2, Episode 3. Tommy Norris, president of M-Tex, sends a team to inspect an old oil well damaged by a lightning strike. As they survey the area, the crew makes a grim discovery: several hunters and animals lying dead in a field.
The danger becomes immediate when a gust of wind shifts. The engineers’ wearable monitors, small devices clipped to their clothing, begin to sound a critical alarm. Dale Bradley identifies the threat, calling in an “H2S leak” over his radio and urgently requesting hazmat and emergency medical services.
The scene shows the crew coughing and retching as the gas reaches them, struggling to escape to safety. One worker is forced to stay on top of an oil tank where the air is clearer, awaiting rescue by helicopter. The sequence vividly illustrates how quickly a routine job can turn deadly in the oil and gas industry.
What Is Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)?
The gas central to this plot is hydrogen sulfide (H2S). It is a colorless, flammable gas that occurs naturally in crude petroleum, natural gas, and volcanic emissions. At very low concentrations, it has the distinct smell of rotten eggs.
However, this warning smell disappears at higher, more dangerous concentrations, making the gas a silent killer. It is heavier than air, which allows it to gather and pool in low-lying areas around wells, tanks, and pits.
“In high concentrations, it’s deadly. I mean, it’ll knock you down and kill you very quickly. And it’s well known in the oilfield,” explained reporter Will Evans in a 2024 interview about the gas’s impact on oil workers.
Exposure symptoms range from eye and throat irritation to headaches and difficulty breathing. At high levels, it can cause almost instantaneous loss of consciousness, respiratory arrest, and death.
Is the Landman H2S Leak Based on Real Events?
Yes. The show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, is highlighting a documented occupational hazard. Hydrogen sulfide leaks are a known and persistent risk in oil and gas extraction.
Real-life tragedies mirror the events on the show. In August 2024, three men in Houston died from hydrogen sulfide exposure while repairing a sewage leak. In October 2024, two employees died and thirteen others were injured from an H2S leak at the Deer Park Refinery in Texas. A leak in Odessa, Texas, in 2019 claimed the lives of a worker and his wife.
The problem often stems from aging or poorly maintained equipment. As one report noted, companies may make temporary fixes when inspectors find leaks, but these repairs frequently fail, leading to recurring problems.
How Do Oil Workers Stay Safe from H2S?
Safety is paramount, and workers rely on specific equipment and procedures. The most vital tool is the personal H2S monitor. These small, bright yellow devices are clipped to a worker’s clothing and sound an alarm when they detect the gas.
As one viewer with oilfield experience pointed out on social media, standard filter respirators are ineffective against H2S. The proper response is to immediately move upwind to fresh air. This is why windsocks are commonly seen at well sites, to help workers quickly identify safe directions.
The show accurately depicts these monitors, with Dale Bradley and his crew depending on them for the first warning of danger. The storyline emphasizes that for workers on the ground, the threat from gases like H2S is a practical, daily concern, separate from the high-stakes financial deals happening in corporate offices.
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Fan Reactions to the Intense Episode
The dramatic gas leak scene resonated strongly with viewers, sparking discussions online about its realism and intensity. Many fans praised the show for educating audiences about the oil industry’s hidden dangers.
Some viewers with personal connections to the industry shared their insights. One commenter, identifying as an ex-oilfield worker’s wife, noted, “H2S gas is poisonous gas. I know from helping him study for classes he had to take”. Another viewer with over 40 years of experience highlighted the accuracy of the show’s safety protocols, noting Dale was the only one correctly equipped.
Other fans were gripped by the suspense but wanted more detail. “I wish they explained more too. Like who and how they gonna clean it up? Maybe next episode will be more in depth,” one viewer wrote. The episode successfully blended high drama with a sobering look at a real-world hazard, making it a standout moment in the season.
Landman is currently streaming on Paramount+.
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