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OCS-Related Incidents -- Offshore Energy and Minerals Management

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    Cheryl Anderson

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   Gulf of Mexico Region

Spills ≥ 50 Barrels (2,100 gallons) – 1970

January 7, 1970 - Humble Oil Co.

Pollution: 228 bbl Crude Oil Operation: Production
Rig/Platform: Central Facilities Lease: G01083
Area:
Block:		 West Delta
73		 Cause: Equipment Failure
Distance to Shore: 22 Miles Water Depth: 168 Feet

Remarks: Tank and low pressure separator overflowed. Response: all platforms were shut in.

February 10, 1970 (49 days) - Chevron Oil Company

Pollution: 30,000 bbl Crude Oil Operation: Production
Rig/Platform: Platform C Lease: N/A
Area:
Block:		 Main Pass
41		 Cause: Fire
Distance to Shore: 14 Miles Water Depth: 39 Feet
Other Events: Loss of Well Control - Fire

Remarks: Fire of unknown origin in the production area resulted in loss of control of 12 wells which fed the fire. Response: 3 relief wells drilled, 2 wells were killed by relief wells; 6 wells bridged; 4 wells were killed by well-control. Lost platform. Minor amounts of oil on beaches. Originally estimated spillage 30,500 bbl, later revised to 30,000 bbl. Event ended 3/31/1970.

February 28, 1970 - Mobil Oil Exploration & Producing Southeast I

Pollution: 50 bbl Crude Oil Operation: Production
Rig/Platform: Platform A Lease: N/A
Area:
Block:		 East Cameron
64		 Cause: Equipment Failure: valve
Distance to Shore: 23 Miles Water Depth: 50 Feet

Remarks: Open-ended valve activated by shore station.

May 28, 1970 (2 days) - Chambers & Kennedy Petroleum, Inc.

Pollution: 100 bbl Crude Oil Operation: Production
Rig/Platform: Platform A Lease: N/A
Area:
Block:		 Galveston
189		 Cause: Human Error: disregarded SOP
Distance to Shore: 11 Miles Water Depth: 58 Feet
Other Events: Explosion - Fire

Remarks: Explosion and fire; caused by welding on a pipeline between two tanks partially filled with oil. Nine (9) fatalities. Fifty (50) bbl of oil on Galveston Beach. Cleaned up with no lasting environmental damage.

 

May 31, 1970 - Shell Offshore, Inc.

Pollution: 50 bbl Crude Oil Operation: Pipeline
Rig/Platform: Platform V Lease: N/A
Area:
Block:		 South Pass
27		 Cause: Leak
Distance to Shore: 4 Miles Water Depth: 82 Feet

Remarks: Submerged pipeline leaked, cause unknown. Response: pipeline shut in.

October 27, 1970 (2 days) - Chevron Oil Company

Pollution: 395 bbl Crude Oil Operation: Production
Rig/Platform: Platform A Lease: N/A
Area:
Block:		 West Delta
26		 Cause: Equipment Failure: shipping pump
Distance to Shore: 4 Miles Water Depth: 30 Feet

Remarks: Malfunction of shipping pump. Response: the wells were shut in.

December 1, 1970 (138 days) - Shell Offshore, Inc.

Pollution: 53,000 bbl Crude Oil Operation: Completion or Workover
Rig:
Platform:		 Platform B
Well B-21		 Lease: G01870
Area:
Block:		 South Timbalier
26		 Cause: Unknown
Distance to Shore: 8 Miles Water Depth: 60 Feet
Other Events: Loss of Well Control - Explosion - Fire

Remarks: Blowout, gas, explosion, fire; during wireline work on well. Response: 10 relief wells drilled. 4 fatalities; 36 injuries; lost top of platform and 2 drilling rigs; minor amounts of oil on beaches. $25 million in damage.

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Last Updated: 07/15/08, 02:02 PM

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