Spills ≥ 50 Barrels (2,100 gallons) – 1980

January 23, 1980 - Ocean Production Company/ODECO

Remarks: Employee used the diesel hose to wash pipe lubricant from his body. The diesel valve had been left open and allowed 305 bbl of diesel to flow into the skimmer which accumulated 19 bbl. The remaining 286 bbl went into the Gulf waters.

January 29, 1980 - Penzoil Company/Sea Robin Pipeline Co.

Remarks: A trawl net hang up broke a 1" nipple on valve on a submerged gas pipeline 500' from EI256. Response: the nipple on the subsea valve was replaced.

March 8, 1980 - Shell Offshore, Inc.

Remarks: The M/V "Mr. Offshore" was en route to the platform and manuevering in the fog. Visibility was 0.5 mile, vessel was manuevering close to the platform to check position. The boat struck the 36" flare pile that was 279' from the platform which caused the vessel to sink. The boat captain was not being attentive enough while manuerving in the fog. The flare pile was bent over beneath the water.

March 11, 1980 -

Remarks: After losing returns, a slick was noticed around the drive pipe and divers were called to investigate. This resulted in discovery of oil base mud around the drive pipe. Upon further investigation and testing of the 10.75" casing, two holes were discovered in the casing at 470' and at 252', which resulted in oil base mud penetrating to the surface. Excessive drilling time and tripping of drill pipe resulted in wearing the holes in the casing. 168 bbl of 57% diesel mud were lost, so estimated oil spillage was 95 bbl diesel. Response: drilling was discontinued, divers were called, retainer was set at 1,400', holes were squeezed off and operator ran another string of casing to surface.

May 16, 1980 - Exxon Corporation

Remarks: Rupture in the main fuel tanks of M/V "Red Fox"

June 11, 1980 - Texoma Production Company

Remarks: EXPLORATION SPILL. When pumping diesel from a supply boat, a hose broke at middle connection. The locking devices became uncoupled or were broken by wave action (were not securely tied). Response: repaired hose.

October 15, 1980 - Atlantic Richfield Company

Remarks:  The fuel hose coupling parted and was not noticed for approximately 15 minutes. Clean up was attempted with 660 gallons of Sun Chemical CC76 (soap).

November 14, 1980 - Texaco, Inc.

Remarks: Pending the evacuation of the platform for Hurricane Jeanne, saltwater was pumped into the oil storage tank for ballast. During the evacuation, a saltwater pump which had been manually switched off continued to run because the contact points in the switch box were stuck together. The tank filled, ran over to the sump, and carried over to the water leg and into the Gulf. Response: drained tank.

December 2, 1980 - Gulf Oil Corporation Corporation

Remarks: The motor vessel "Tara Alyene" was pumping diesel to the rig "Ocean Chief" when the coupling on the fuel hose parted. Response: shut pump down as soon as discovered and repaired hose.

Last Updated: 10/19/09, 11:52 AM