Occidental Petroleum Corp. is being sued by three workers who were injured in a natural-gas pipeline explosion at its Elk Hills field last year.

The suit, which was filed Dec. 11 in Bakersfield, alleged the Los Angeles-based oil giant was aware the pipeline was in need of repair yet disregarded it, putting the safety of workers at risk, the lawsuit claims.

The explosion happened Feb. 6 after a leak in a gas-gathering pipeline caused the pipeline to explode and catch fire at the Kern County facility.

Four workers were injured and Occidental was forced to temporarily shut down the field. One worker was not part of the lawsuit.

Shares in Occidental closed up 1.9 percent Wednesday to $75.91.