Content:
    Rich Clingan

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    OMM Web Team

Fatalities – 2002 (6 total)

(also listed as Collision)

Remarks: Preliminary reports indicate that a helicopter impacted the platform and then fell into the water following a loss of control after takeoff from the platform. This incident is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Agency.

May 5, 2002 – Devon Energy Production Company

Remarks: On the morning of May 5, 2002, construction operations were underway to remove an 18,000 lb flare boom and to install a new one. The old flare boom was to be removed from the platform’s north side and lowered onto a work boat by using a temporarily installed rental crane. The old flare boom was cut loose from the platform and held by the rental crane. While the load was being swung around the northeast corner of the platform, prior to lowering it onto the boat, the welded base of one of the rental crane’s two support braces failed. This caused the crane suddenly to be uprooted from the platform and be pulled overboard into the Gulf of Mexico. The movement of the crane overboard caused the death of one crewmember who was in the path of the falling crane. See OCS Report MMS 2002-076 for more details.

June 17, 2002 – Apache Oil Corporation

Remarks: On June 17, 2002, the rig was being erected on the platform preparatory to initiating a series of four workovers. The process of erecting the rig had advanced to the stage of raising the derrick. As the derrick was being raised by hydraulic jacks operated by the tool pusher, the other four members of the crew were assisting by guiding the heel sections of the derrick into wells below the rig floor where the derrick would be pinned in place. As the heel sections were passing through the floor slots, a gate barring the V-door inadvertently opened. When the gate opened, the driller, who was apparently braced against the gate while pushing the derrick heel into place, fell backwards. The driller’s hardhat came off and he fell 19 feet from the rig floor to the platform level, striking a wire spool with his head. The impact caused the death of the driller. See OCS Report MMS 2002-075 for more details.

July 6, 2002 -- Amoco Production Company

Remarks: Preliminary reports indicate that a diver died while preparing the platform for a drilling rig. This incident is under investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard.

December 7, 2002 – Kerr McGee Oil & Gas Corp.

Remarks: Preliminary reports indicate that the crew from a contract work/dive boat recovered a man overboard. The man was later pronounced dead. The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating this incident.

 December 31, 2002 – El Paso Production Company

Remarks: Preliminary reports indicate that the victim was discovered face down at the bottom of a stairway. He was later pronounced dead. This incident is under investigation by MMS.