Chen was in the official in charge of the Sichuan Provincial Petroleum Administration (SPPA) when the December 2003 blowout occurred which resulted in the deaths of 233 people. The wellstream contained toxic gasses.

The president of the China National Petroleum Co (CNPC), Chen Geng, said, “As head of the SPPA, Chen Yingquan should bear the major blame for the disaster.” The SPPA is controlled by CNPC.

Chen’s position as head of the SPPA has been taken up by CNPC executive Liao Yongyuan.