Content:
    Rich Clingan

 Pagemasters:
    OMM Web Team

Gulf of Mexico Region

Fatalities – 1999

April 9, 1999 – Vastar Resources Inc.

Remarks: On the afternoon of April 9, 1999, a section of the high-pressure separator’s drain line was being cut with an electrical bandsaw as part of deactivation of the platform’s process drain line system. Construction contract personnel discontinued efforts to complete the severing of the line because of the flow of condensate from the cut. After having attempted to contain the spilled condensate, and after having observed no further flow of liquids from the cut, the workers continued to cut the line. During the recutting of the line, condensate, which flowed from the cut, drenched the worker who was operating the saw, and was ignited by the saw. The ensuing fire engulfed the worker, who died days later as a result of the burns. Another worker was injured in his attempt to assist the burned worker. The fire caused approximately one million dollars worth of damage to the platform, and approximately 15 gallons of condensate spilled into the Gulf. See OCS Report MMS 2000-029 for more details.

May 16, 1999 – Marathon Oil Company

Remarks: The drilling rig was pulling anchors to move off location. An employee was disconnecting the hydraulic charging unit for the ROV when he received a shock from the 440-volt electrical plug. This incident is under investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard.

August 29, 1999 – PennzEnergy

Remarks: As a diver was being lowered into the water, his aqua suit came in contact with a support structure from the rig, tearing the arm of his suit. The suit filled with water, and the diver sank. This incident is under investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Remarks: A leg collapsed on a 3-leg lift boat. Three persons were injured, and one was missing. On October 4, 1999, the missing individual was presumed dead. This incident is under investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard.

November 14, 1999 – PennzEnergy

Remarks: The employee was killed as he was spooling back a 2-inch umbilical cord that had been attached to a 7-5/8 inch production riser. He was working alone, away from the view of the rig floor, and somehow became entangled in the spokes of the reel drum and the reel unit frame. He was found with his upper body pinned between one of the spokes and a horizontal member of the frame, with his chest lying on top of the air control lever. A member of the crew found the employee approximately 2-1/2 hours after he commenced the spooling operation. The crew attempted to resuscitate the employee, but they were unsuccessful.