Explosions – 1999

February 8, 1999 - British-Borneo Exploration, Inc.

Remarks: The #4 well was perforated and the first flow back of 11 barrels of oil and gas was completed without any problems. The well flowed back again for 50 barrels and was shut-in down hole with the tubing production test valve. The tubing annulus valve was opened to the annulus. Gas and oil were reversed out of the tubing at a pump rate of 2 barrels per minute with 600 psi pump pressure. After reversing about 60 barrels, taking returns to the pits, gas was detected. The returns were diverted to the 100 psi working pressure separator and the completion fluid was transferred from the separator to a 210 barrel atmospheric test tank. The test separator was operating at 40-44 psi. A total of 200 barrels were reversed from the well; about 140 barrels were in the separator and the remaining 60 barrels were in the atmospheric test tank. An explosion occurred in the atmospheric test tank causing it to rupture. The entire oil volume had been reverse-circulated into the separator and the atmospheric test tank contained only completion fluid at the time of the explosion. No fluid was spilled overboard.

March 18, 1999 - Marathon Oil Company

Remarks: An employee was alerted by an engine oil PSL alarm on the gas lift compressor. The alarm initiated a compressor shut-in. The compressor unloaded pressure as part of the shut-in procedure; the compressor engine slowed but failed to shut down completely, so the employee went to get a mechanic. Upon returning, an explosion occurred in the crankcase. Both men noticed a small fire in the exposed section of the compressor crankcase and extinguished it immediately with a nearby water hose. The compressor was shut down manually by closing the fuel valve.

March 20, 1999 - Mobil Oil Exploration & Producing

Remarks: Gas from the #3 flash gas compressor entered the domestic water system through a water fill-line. The compressor was taken off-line March 17 to repair broken belts on the water pump and re-started March 20. At 9:05 a.m., the scrubber LSH alarmed. The Automated Systems Technician (AST) drained the liquids between the LSH and LSL and restarted the compressor. At approximately 9:50 a.m. a galley hand noticed yellow water entering both washing machines. She closed the door to the laundry room and left the washing machines in the fill/on position. She notified the operation assistant of the problem. The AST drained clear water from the bottom drain valve on the domestic water tank. He ran yellowish brown water from the galley faucet. The AST turned on the outside sink faucet at 10:05 a.m. and found the same condition as in the galley, but he also smelled gas. At 10:08 a.m., both the AST and EHS technician were walking towards the door to the living quarters when the explosion occurred in the laundry room. They smothered the flames using a piece of the ceiling tile. The activation of a smoke detector on the 1st floor of the living quarters caused a fire detection system alarm. The suspected ignition source is either the washing machines or clothes dryers. All personnel were quickly accounted for after the incident. Producing operations were shut down and all utilities to the living quarters were shut off. All non-essential personnel were flown to Morgan City. The remaining essential crewmembers disconnected the domestic water system from the production process and flushed it to remove the gas and hydrocarbons from the piping. Mobil foremen declared the scene to be safe; utilities were restored to the living quarters and the platform was restored to production.

March 28, 1999 - Texaco Exploration & Production

Remarks: An explosion occurred when the end cap of the water skimmer blew off. The platform operator encountered a PSH alarm on the water skimmer. He heard a gas blow-by coming from the test separator and determined it was coming from the test separator water outlet line that dumps to the water skimmer. He blocked the water dump and the gas blow-by stopped. Within seconds, he heard a loud noise and observed water rushing in the vicinity of the skimmer; he proceeded to the skimmer area and found the end cap of the skimmer separated from the vessel. While inspecting the skimmer, he heard a low volume of gas escaping. He realized the make-up gas was still functioning and immediately shut-in the source. The ESD was activated when the end cap severed the fire loop; other alarms were activated during this time, including the LSL. All wells remained shut-in and the facility was secured until a careful walk-through of the platform by operations, operations support and managerial personnel. Damages were limited to the skimmer and associated piping. Estimated replacement costs were $165,000. The level controller on the test separator and all pressure control devices from the water skimmer were sent away to be examined.

September 17, 1999 - Union Oil Company of California

Remarks: The 50-lb skimmer was over-pressured to 87-lb and exploded. The 8-foot by 15-foot high vertical vessel separated at the bottom weld. The top of vessel rocketed through the helipad, skirting on top of quarters and into the Gulf. This incident occurred while re-opening the platform after replacing an isolation valve on the LSL for the water compartment of HP production separator #2.