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Content: Pagemasters:
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Gulf
of Mexico Region Other Events - 2000 January 19, 2000 - BP Amoco Corporation
Remarks: While the driller attempted to manually secure drill collars with rope, the drill ship moved causing the collars to break connections and fall out of the finger boards to the rig floor. One collar struck the forward portion of the driller’s doghouse; the other penetrated the roof just behind the forward driller’s console. The MMS investigation findings showed that a computer programming error was detected in the Varco pipe racking system, which caused the latch/unlatch modes to work improperly. While correcting the problem, the driller selected the wrong finger pipe rack. A contributing factor in the cause was that the rig personnel did not completely understand the complex pipe racking system. January 19, 2000
- BP Amoco
Remarks: An engineer inadvertently pushed the wrong control buttons on the subsea control panel. Instead of testing the blind shear rams, he activated and disconnected the lower marine riser package (LMRP). This resulted in the release of 2,400 barrels of SBM into the Gulf. The investigation found the cause to be human error and the lack of a safety mechanism on the control panel buttons to prevent activating the wrong function. The fact that the engineer was not wearing his prescription glasses at the time of the incident was also a contributing factor. In addition, all functions on the control panel were labeled with the same color (red) and the lettering was small and difficult to read. Also, the LMRP control buttons were at the same height as the blind shear rams on the remote control panel in the subsea control room. Recommendations to prevent future occurrences included (1) use larger lettering on the panels, (2) use different background colors for the LMRP and wellhead connectors, (3) have two crew members present during routine BOP tests to assure the correct functions are operated, (4) add touch-screen prompts to a “failure safe function.” The MMS issued an NTL on February 22, 2000 (see http://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/regulate/regs/ntls/ntl00-g07.html.
January 21,
2000
- Equilon Pipeline
Company, LLC
Remarks: The anchor of a drilling rig that was being towed dragged the pipeline along the seafloor 650 feet from its original location. The pipeline ruptured and tore at the girth welds on the riser. The riser was also torn from the riser clamps. Side Scan Sonar survey information showed that the anchor was dragged about 20 miles to the point where it hooked the pipeline. The USCG is investigating also. January 26, 2000 - BP Amoco Corporation
Remarks: While lifting a load of cement weighing more than 14,000 pounds, the crane broke off from the structure and went overboard. The crane operator jumped out. He was rescued and transported to the hospital. The investigation findings showed that three tanks to be lifted were similar in appearance. The crane operator and riggers were unaware that one of the tanks was full of 11.6 ppg calcium chloride. The rigger did not identify the load weight of the full tank as he hooked it up. The boom angle, which was set at 52 degrees to pick up an empty tank, exceeded the dynamic lift capacity of the crane when lifting the full tank. The following factors also contributed to the incident: (1) The load weights of each tank were not properly marked and in plain view of the riggers. (2) The communication between the riggers and the crane operator was poor. (3) The material manifest of the equipment to be offloaded from the boat to the platform was not sent from the boat to the platform before offloading began. As a result of their OCS violations, the operating company is implementing changes in all their offshore operations related to cargo load weights, lift team communications, crane capacities, weight indicators, and deck layout. February 05, 2000 - Amerada Hess Corporation
Remarks: Amerada Hess ran and cemented the 13 3/8-inch x 20-inch surface casing and after a 7-hour wait, the annulus began flowing gas and was shut in with the Hydril diverter system. The annular pressure was bled off through the gas buster and the well pressure was killed with heavy mud.
February 28, 2000 - Murphy
Exploration & Production Co.
Remarks: The Ocean Concord was running a liner on drill pipe when the lower marine riser package was inadvertently disconnected from the BOP stack. The disconnect resulted in the discharge to the sea of about 806 barrels of synthetic mud and 150-200 barrels of crude oil from the well bore. For more details, see OCS Report MMS 2001-005 at http://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/offshore/safety/acc_repo/01-005.pdf.
March 06, 2000 - Forcenergy, Inc
Remarks: A bi-directional pipeline rise equipped with a ¾-inch nipple and ball valve developed a pinhole leak. There was no way at the time to bleed down the pipeline. The drilling rig on location over the platform was evacuated as a precaution.
21-Mar-2000
- LLECO Holdings, Inc.
Remarks: While moving a 25-barrel tank of calcium bromide on the deck of the vessel, the crane snapped at the pedestal and fell onto the vessel below. The crane operator was injured. Sea conditions at the time were 3 to 5 feet seas. The investigation findings showed that the crane operator had minimal experience and operated the crane outside of the designed limitations of the crane by picking up weight outside the crane’s safe load limitations. Also, the on-site supervisor failed to recognize hazards or ignored them. Underlying causes included personnel factors, capability, knowledge and skill, stress, improper motivation, job factors, organizational structure, management and supervision. It was recommended that MMS issue a safety alert to heighten awareness of API Specification 2C, specifically the current recommended ball ring design criteria and those cranes manufactured under different design criteria. For more details, see OCS Report MMS 2001-010 at http://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/offshore/safety/acc_repo/01-010.pdf. March 22, 2000 - Burlington Resources Offshore, Inc.
Remarks: When the operator unchained the coil tubing injector head and goose-neck unit, it fell into the handrail and into the jack-up boat and then was lost overboard. The coil-tubing employee on the jack-up boat cranked up the unit to loosen the chains. Employee saw the injector head tilt and go overboard. Apparently, the unit was in gear and pulled the unit overboard before anyone could stop it.
March
23, 2000 - Barrett Resources Corporation
Remarks: There was an apparent leak from the riser. No slick or sheen was observed and no detectable reduction in gas sales volume was being reported by SCADA telemetry. The pinhole leak in the riser was not large enough to lower the pressure sufficiently for the PSH to shut in the structure. As a result of the incident, the necessary telemetry to remotely shut in the platform was installed. Newfield Exploration Company
Remarks: A 5-foot x 8-foot aluminum grocery box containing two 12-volt batteries and some empty water bottles was lost overboard as it was being loaded onto the boat via a crane. The fast line parted about 10 feet above the ball dropping the grocery box along with the ball and slings overboard. The load struck the boat’s generator package and handrail. The investigation findings showed that while booming down, the ball was pulled into the sheave and caused the wire rope to be pulled out of the swedge on the ball. It appears the incident was caused by operator error and may have been exacerbated by a possible Anti-Two Block device failure. The operator failed to maintain enough slack in the fast line to account for the booming down operation. Based on the configuration of the crane and platform, the operator may not have seen the boom tip while booming down. MMS recommended that (1) the platform operator be sent to operator training school, (2) the crane operator be more careful and cautious during crane operation, and (3) the crane operator always be provided with a person to give signals. April 09, 2000 - Chevron U.S.A., Inc.
Remarks: A 40-ton rental crane was offloading a 30,000-lb basket off the deck of the motor vessel Miss Kathryn. The crane had lifted the 36-foot-long cargo basket 10 feet up off the boat deck when the boat skipper started to move the boat from under the basket. As the boat moved from under the basket, the boom angle of the crane began to fall, which caused the basket to get hung up on the bulwarks and the rail on the port side of the boat deck. When the boat moved from under the basket, the boom angle of the crane went to 0 degrees as the cylinders bottomed out. The basket was lowered into GOM waters where it was later retrieved by the crane winch line cable. The cable had remained hooked to the basket throughout the mishap. The MMS investigation showed that the operator failed to perform a pre-job safety analysis considering all the aspects of this task before offloading the tool basket. The crane operator made this lift without having a material manifest on the platform that listed the total weight of the tool basket. The crane operator failed to recognize and honor the rating of the rental crane. The counter balance valve on the crane failed during this lift, just as it had failed 2 weeks prior to this incident. When the first attempt to lift the tool basket was unsuccessful, the task should have been reassessed. Damage was estimated at $5,000. The operator was found in violation of MMS regulations. The MMS recommended that a Safety Alert be issued to all Lessees. April 27, 2000 - Murphy Exploration & Production Company
Remarks: During a lift operation, the slings parted, dropping the load into the Gulf. The investigation showed that the wire sing ropes were in poor condition, showing signs of corrosion and mechanical damage. The slings should have been sufficiently inspected prior to use. It was recommended that those in charge of inspecting and approving wire rope devices should be familiar with relevant wire rope damage appearance and that users of wire rope devices should be aware of the proper use, handling, and storage of wire rope. May 22, 2000 - Murphy Exploration & Production Company
Remarks: The platform was shut in when sensors detected sufficient levels of H2S. The gasket material around the valve stem of the back pressure valve for the reflux accumulator failed. The investigation findings showed that the gasket material failed because of age and wear. It was recommended that the stem packing be replaced periodically. June 18, 2000 - Newfield Exploration Company
Remarks: While lifting a “toolbox,” the clutch or torque converter failed and lowered the crane boom. The boom, with its load, came to rest on the side of the rig. There were no injuries. June 28, 2000 - BHP Petroleum (GOM) Inc.
Remarks: While running wire line logging tools, a short circuit in the Driller’s Control Panel (DCP) caused the riser to inadvertently disconnect, which caused the shear rams to close, cutting the wire line and shutting in the well. The MMS investigation showed the cause of the incident to be failure of a program card in one of the two Programmed Logic Controllers (PLC) in the Driller’s Control Panel of the BOP control system. In other words, the cause was an electrical short in a control card. High operating temperature in the Driller’s Control Panel PLC enclosure may have contributed to the failure of the PLC card. Estimated property damage was $1,000,000. There were no OCS violations in relation to this incident. As a temporary corrective action, the MMS recommended that the remote Driller’s Control Console, which caused the short, be removed until an improved console is designed and installed. July 18, 2000 - Chevron U.S.A., Inc.
Remarks: The operator was offloading a portable building from the platform to a boat below. The crane had lowered the building halfway to the boat and had stopped to wait for the boat to back under the load when the crane’s load cable parted. The building was dropped into Gulf waters. The investigation showed that the operator had not inspected the crane on a timely basis and the crane inspection program did not include inspection of the crane load cable. The MMS recommended the following four actions: (1) Issue a safety alert to increase awareness of interload cable corrosion. (2) Lubricate all crane cables exposed to drilling and completion fluids frequently during the exposure period and changed out afterwards. (3) Conduct heavy lift inspections prior to performing lifts in excess of 75 percent of the crane’s capacity. (4) Replace all cables if proper documentation is not on file. July 26, 2000 - Murphy Exploration & Production Company
Remarks: The platform was shut in when sensors detected H2S. After inspection, it was determined that the No. 5 sensor was tripped and there were leaks on the Wika gauge, the needle valve on the LSH on the test separator, and the LSH Fisher 2100 series located on the flare scrubber. The investigations findings showed that the leaks were probably caused by fatigue, vibration, and environmental conditions. It was recommended that visual inspections be made during each visit to the platform. August 08, 2000 - Murphy Exploration & Production Company
Remarks: The crane operator was swinging the load off the platform to the field boat when the pad eye on the cable parted and dropped the slings and wireline unit overboard. August 13, 2000 - Chevron U.S.A., Inc.
Remarks: The lens of the fluorescent light near the day material storage tanks was found to have melted.
August
14, 2000 - Exxon Mobil Corporation
Remarks: An 8-inch pipeline located about 2,000 feet from the platform released a spill of about 4.5 to 5 barrels of oil. The line was shut In for repair. August 16, 2000 - Matrix Oil & Gas, Inc.
Remarks: A jackup liftboat was preloading when a gearbox was spun off and the boat tilted and fell over on the port side. Eight fell overboard and swam to the platform.
August
17, 2000
- Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America
Remarks: A 4-foot boil was seen coming from a gas leak that was reported earlier. A silvery sheen (112 gallons)(1/4 mile x 16-mile area) was spotted in the same area. Consequently, a 16-inch gas/condensate pipeline leading to the shoreline was shut in so that a repair clamp could be installed over the leak area.
22-Aug-22-2000 - Union Oil Company of California
Remarks: A worker was performing a lift using the platform crane, and a roustabout was operating a fuel valve on the upper deck of the platform crane. The crane rotated and caught the roustabout between the stairs and the handrail, fracturing his shoulder blade and two ribs. August 23, 2000 - Chevron U.S.A., Inc.
Remarks: The derrickhand in the derrick was holding the top of the bottomhole assembly back toward the monkey board with a rope. The rig top drive apparently caught the lift sub for the bottom hold assembly and lifted the assembly off the rig floor. The assembly dropped through the rig floor and production deck to the seafloor. The assembly was recovered. September 01, 2000 - Coastal Oil and Gas
Remarks: While lifting three 55-gallon drums off the motor vessel by the rig crane, the pallet bumped the rail of the boat and two of the drums fell into the water. One drum was recovered and one was not. September 09, 2000 - BP Amoco Corporation
Remarks: A joint of 16-inch casing fell over the wind wall at the front of the rig floor. The joint jumped the connection because of cross threading while backing out. The pick-up sling at the stabbing board level was not in place prior to backing out the connection. Casing tongs attached at the pin end kept the joint from falling off the rig floor. September 20, 2000 - Transworld Exploration & Production, Inc.
Remarks: The boat mooring rope was being removed from the port leg when the pick-up line broke and the assembly was lost overboard. The mooring assembly consisted of a 55-foot braided rope, one aircraft tire and one length of 15-foot logging chain with 1¼-inch shackles. The rig had just finished completion operations and was preparing to jack down. The mooring assembly was unrecoverable.
September
26, 2000 - Chevron Pipe Line Company
Remarks: A pinhole leak developed in a 6-inch oil pipeline leading from Main Pass 133 A to Main Pass 144 A. About 132 gals of oil leaked out of the pipeline. All production was shut in. A dive crew was being sent to the site to repair the pipeline with a clamp. October 02, 2000 - El Paso Production Company
Remarks: While booming up during normal off-loading operations, the crane operator attempted to stop the crane from booming up further. When the crane did not respond, the operator attempted to shut down the crane, but could not stop the crane in time. The boom broke near the bottom and fell over the port side of the rig. This incident is under U.S. Coast Guard jurisdiction.
October
31, 2000 - Forest Oil Corporation
Remarks: During platform removal operations, the removal contractor drilled a 3/8-inch hold into the riser. The pipeline was thought to be out of service and therefore no pressure. However, the line had 850 psi on because it was being fed by two other platforms. Divers were dispatched and the subsea pipeline tie-in valves were closed to isolate the faulty segment. The investigation findings showed that the hole was drilled into the pipeline by the contractor without permission prior to an inspection of the pipeline. The operator may not have investigated to see if other lines were tied into the pipeline before attempting to abandon it. November 01, 2000 - Ocean Energy, Inc. |
