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    Melinda Mayes

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    OMM Web Team

Explosions – 2002 (total 3)

12-Feb-2002 - Vastar Resources, Inc.

(also listed as Fire)

Remarks: While a contract employee was reconnecting turbine lines on the No. 1 generator, the No. 2 generator shut down. As a result, the platform shut in due to the loss of air supply to the ESD system. The emergency (diesel) generator was started after shut in, providing lighting to the Motor Control Center (MCC) building and other lights on the platform. There were three re-start attempts on the No. 2 generator, and each time it shut down due to no AC voltage. While going through a start up sequence of the No. 1 generator, everyone was in the MCC building when they heard a loud boom and rumble. The contractor operator stepped out the MCC building to investigate and he detected a small of burnt gas. While walking to the wellbay area, he heard a second boom. When he walked around the west side of wellbay, he encountered the heat of the fire and was driven back by it. He estimated that the fire covered approximately 80 percent of the wellbay. He alerted the platform personnel that there was a fire when he heard a third boom. He told the lead operator that the fire was out of control, and to get life jackets on and go to the survival capsule where he activated the abandon platform alarm. All personnel safely departed. The fire extinguished without any firefighting efforts. Estimated damage amount is $45,000.00.

15-Jun-2002 - Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

(also listed as Injury)

Remarks: An explosion occurred and five personnel were injured. Three of the contractor employees were flown into Terrebonne General Hospital in Houma. At this time, two personnel remain in hospitals. One contractor will remain at the Baton Rouge Burn center for 14 days for observation. The other will remain at Terrebonne General for observation for five days due to cuts and abrasions. The contractor personnel were attempting to clean out a separator at the time of the incident. At this time an MMS investigation team in on site. A Chevron investigation team has also been activated.

20-Nov-2002 – St. Mary Energy Company

(also listed as Fire and Injury)

Remarks: The production operator was making rounds and noticed what sounded like gas escaping from the master panel. He opened the right side door of the master panel to check, as he leaned into the panel the fire ignited. Two other operators working on the same deck level heard the commotion and arrived on the scene, removed the injured party, and extinguished the fire. The employee received burns on both hands and face below the hard hat line. Approximately 20 percent of the burns to his hands were 2^nd degree and the remainders were 1^st degree. The employee was treated at a local hospital and released later that afternoon. Estimated damage amount was less than $15,000.