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Gulf
of Mexico Region Fires 2002 (total 87) 02-Jan-2002 - Shell Offshore Inc.
Remarks: Employee smelled something burning in process module as he walked through the area. He noticed sparks from motor on the pump for heat media fluid. It is suspected that the bearing overheated and caused sparking. Plastic cooling fan caught fire. Pump was shut down and fire was extinguished with a hand-held chemical fire extinguisher. Damage was minimal. 05-Jan-2002 - Exxon Mobil Corporation
Remarks: A small fire occurred as a door latch was being repaired on top of the production water polishing floatation cell. A drill was being used to drill a hole in the door when it generated a spark that ignited the atmospheric gas in the floatation cell vessel. The fire was extinguished within one minute with a fire water hose. There were minimal damages. 05-Jan-2002 - BP Amoco Corporation
Remarks: Welders were cutting a pad eye on a beam in the No. 6 caterpillar room on the rig when the heat ignited a personnel basket stored in the engine room. The fire was detected and extinguished immediately with minor damage. 12-Jan-2002 - Shell Offshore Inc.
Remarks: A contract employee observed a small flame on the top deck of the facility and reported it to the deck coordinator. Upon investigation, it was determined that a scaffold board was on fire. The fire was extinguished within five minutes with a water hose. The board had been placed too close to an engine exhaust during some construction work. 15-Jan-2002 - Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation
Remarks: The operator reported a pipeline rupture with a fire on the water. Within 2 hours Transco confirmed it was their gas pipeline and had it shut in. No injuries or pollution. 16-Jan-2002 - Devon Energy Corporation
Remarks: Production hand noticed a small fire on the glycol reboiler. Fire was put out and situation under control in 35 minutes. Seven 20 lb. and one 150 lb. units were used to put out the fire and keep the fire from flashing until the glycol unit cooled sufficiently. After unit was cooled, the insulation was pulled back to reveal a nipple with two holes Ό inch in diameter. Glycol had been spraying on hot surface which caused the fire. 21-Jan-2002 - BP Amoco Corporation
Remarks: A construction crew was conducting a hot work operation when a piece of hot slag fell onto a windbreak tarp, and the tarp catching it on fire. It was extinguished immediately by the fire watch and a rigger with two 30 lb. dry chemical fire extinguishers. 22-Jan-2002 - Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Remarks: Slag from an overhead cutting torch ignited a small flow of escaping gas from a wellhead cap. The flame was about 3 inches high and was extinguished with a 1 gallon jug of water by the welder. 23-Jan-2002 - Pogo Producing Company
Remarks: The engine coolant for a gas compressor leaked onto the compressor engine turbo charger (1100 degrees). This created a small flash fire that extinguished itself immediately. 29-Jan-2002 - Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (also listed as Injury)
Remarks: Worker went to the Master Control Panel to investigate why the system (natural gas) pressure was low. He opened up the back of the panel to troubleshoot the loss of pressure, in an attempt to locate the gas leak and correct the problem. The worker checked the panel vent ports and found no leakage. At about this time, he felt heat (hot flash) to his face and arms. He immediately shut the panel doors to contain the heat. Apparently the fire was brief and self extinguished immediately due to lack of fuel. The worker was then evacuated by helicopter for medical care. The employee was treated for first and second degree burns. 31-Jan-2002 - Agip Petroleum Exploration Co. Inc.
Remarks: While conducting a ground fault test on the generator, a fire occurred. The CO2 deluge system was used to extinguish the fire. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. 02-Feb-2002 - BP Exploration Inc.
Remarks: Contract personnel on the main deck observed a fire at the water bath heater area. The maintenance personnel shut in the compressor and a platform ESD occurred at about the same time. They used 30 lb. bottles to extinguish the fire within a few seconds. 04-Feb-2002 - BP Amoco Corporation
Remarks: Operator went to fill day tank. He opened a series of valves, which overfilled the crank case and went into manifold and subsequently went into exhaust. A small flame around the insulated muffler located on top of the generator enclosure. The platform operator initiated an ESD on the platform and initial emergency response was also initiated. The fire was extinguished utilizing hand held dry chemical units and the platforms potable water system. 07-Feb-2002 - Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Remarks: The primary generator shut down due to a platform ESD involving the platform glycol system. After troubleshooting the ESD, it was necessary to start the emergency generator to bring the facility back online. When the emergency generator was brought back on line, operators noticed smoke coming from the emergency generator enclosure. There was a small fire as a result of a backfire in the emergency generator engine. This backfire caused the exhaust filter element to catch fire. The generator was shut down and the fire was extinguished using a portable CO2 unit. 07-Feb-2002 - Exxon Mobil Corporation
Remarks: Personnel heard a loud noise, and then the winch starting unspooling wire. The brakes were in the applied position. The heat generated form the brake band ignited line tar off of wire causing a small fire. After the wire finished unspoooling, the fire was immediately extinguished. No personnel were injured and no apparent damage to equipment occurred. 12-Feb-2002 - Vastar Resources, Inc. (also listed as Explosion)
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. 16-Feb-2002 - Shell Oil Company
Remarks: The operator was performing a turbine flush of the fuel gas compressor when an internal fire started in the turbine engine. There was a flash fire for one minute, and then the fire extinguished itself. 20-Feb-2002 - Shell Offshore Inc.
Remarks: Extension cords being used by a construction crew came in contact with salt water causing a small flash fire. It was extinguished almost immediately by its own accord. 05-Mar-2002 - Spirit Energy Partners, L.P.
Remarks: Due to vibration, a small leak developed in a hydraulic line and sprayed oil onto the engine exhaust manifold of the compressor and caught fire. The fire was extinguished immediately with a 30 lb. hand held unit and the use of a saltwater fire hose. 05-Mar-2002 - Shell Offshore Inc.
Remarks: During a construction project while the facility was shut in, a small fire occurred. The welding lead wire parted while grinding operations were being done to a pad eye, and a small fire originated form the welding lead line. The fire was extinguished immediately with very minor damage to the welding lead line. The welder was treated by a doctor for flight burns to the facial area and released to full duty the next day. 06-Mar-2002 - Exxon Mobil Corporation
Remarks: The operator representative was bleeding liquid from the 3rd stage gas compressor scrubber due to a high level in the vessel. Apparently, he was bleeding the excess fluid into a drain that was plugged. The liquid splashed back onto the compressor turbo charger, causing a fire. The fire was extinguished immediately with four 30 lb. dry chemical units. 06-Mar-2002 - Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Remarks: The platform was shut in and a welder was welding a section of steel grating when a very small fire occurred. A spark blew onto a nearby tubing supply line and manual valve. The valve had a small crack, and small amount of gas escaped and the residue ignited. The fire was extinguished immediately. 08-Mar-2002 - Dunhill Resources I, LLC
Remarks: An oiler line to the turbo charger on the gas compressor broke. The oil was ignited by the units hot surface causing the TSE to melt and the Emergency Shut Down activated, shutting down the platform. No injuries to personnel or damage to equipment occurred with the exception of the turbo charger that has bad bearings due to lack of lubrication. The fire was small in nature and was extinguished with water from a water hose by a platform operator. 10-Mar-2002 - Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Remarks: A small fire occurred in the emergency generator housing due to a failed turbocharger causing an oil seal leak. The oil from this leak migrated to a filter and caught fire. This was a very small fire. 16-Mar-2002 - BP Amoco Corporation
Remarks: A rig engine in an enclosed engine room caught fire. The engines overspeed control shut the engine down after an attempt was made to manually shut down the engine. The fire was extinguished immediately with two 30 lb. dry chemical units, with minimal damage to the engine. 20-Mar-2002 - BP Amoco Corporation
Remarks: Smoke was observed originating from a sealed electrical box that is part of the back up AC system near the port engine control room. A high resistant ground transformer arched and melted a power cable inside the electrical box. The fire was extinguished immediately with a portable CO2 unit. 20-Mar-2002 - Shell Offshore Inc.
Remarks: A small fire occurred in the kitchen. Grease caught fire on the stovetop. The fire was not large enough to activate the fire suppression system above the strove. However, a galley hand observed the fire and extinguished the fire immediately with a 30 lb. dry chemical unit. There was minimal damage. 22-Mar-2002 - Samedan Oil Corporation
Remarks: A small fire occurred within the armature on the diesel engine driven electric generator. The fire was contained within the armature housing and extinguished with a hand held extinguisher. No other damage occurred. 06-Apr-2002 - Shell Offshore Inc.
Remarks: A small fire occurred near the MCC room. It was the electric cable for the main platform power unit 4160 that caught on fire. The fire was observed and extinguished immediately with a 30 lb. dry chemical unit. Upon detection of the fire, the platform was shut in immediately, using the ESD system. All personnel mustered and the back up electrical system was activated. 09-Apr-2002 - Exxon Mobil Corporation
Remarks: Backfire on the draworks drive engine caused an oil accumulation in a drippan on the lower deck to ignite. The fire was small and quickly extinguished. 11-Apr-2002 - Exxon Mobil Corporation
Remarks: A small fire was observed by platform personnel. The fire originated from the gas compressor vent. Apparently, lightening struck the compressor and ignited the gas from the vent. The fire was extinguished immediately with 30 lb. dry chemical units. There was no damage to production vessel, etc. 15-Apr-2002 - Marathon Oil Company
Remarks: A nipple under the discharge PSV on a rental pipeline pump cracked, allowing crude oil to be sprayed onto the engine exhaust. The small fire was extinguished with a portable fire extinguisher. No pollution, injuries or significant equipment damage occurred. 01-May-2002 - BP Exploration & Oil Inc.
Remarks: The paint blaster foreman observed smoke coming from a rental air compressor that was in service. He opened the access doors to the compressor and observed a two inch flame originating from the compressor clutch housing. He immediately shut the compressor down and put the small fire out with a 30 lb. chemical fire extinguisher. 03-May-2002 - Dominion Exploration & Production, Inc.
Remarks: Smoke was observed coming from the glycol reboiler stack. An operator sprayed the reboiler with water after shutting the unit down, extinguishing the fire. Apparently, hot glycol and a small amount of condensate leaked onto the reboiler stack insulation, creating the small fire. The unit was repaired with minimal damage. 06-May-2002 - BP Exploration & Production Inc.
Remarks: Smoke was observed originating from the glycol dehydration unit. Upon investigation, the smoke was tracked to the units control panel. The electrician was notified, and he immediately opened the primary breaker and locked it out. The fire extinguished on its own. The immediate cause appears to be a 480 volt phase to phase fault. The operator is conducting a root cause analysis. 15-May-2002 - ChevronTexaco Corporation
Remarks: A night operator was taking compressor report readings when he noticed a small fire coming from the exhaust piping next to the turbo-charger on the No. 1 compressor. He retrieved a 30 lb. fire extinguisher and put out the fire. He noticed that the fuel source was antifreeze/ coolant spraying from SST tubing. The turbo-chargers surface temperature provided an ignition source. The engine was shut down, and the bad section of the SST tubing was replaced. There was no damage as a result of the fire. 18-May-2002 - BP Exploration & Production Inc.
Remarks: The rig motorman was changing fuel filters on the No. 10 engine. He removed the engine vent plug, and diesel spurted out onto the hot engine manifold, creating smoke but no fire. 21-May-2002 - J. M. Huber Corporation (also listed as Injury)
Remarks: A fire occurred when natural gas was released from the seal joint of a flange, and ignited by a cutting torch that was being used by an operator to remove a rusted bolt. The fire watch extinguished the fire. The operator received minor burns to his lips and cheeks. The operator was treated with burn cream and returned to work. 23-May-2002 - ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
Remarks: A gas compressor shut down. The operator attempted to restart the compressor and it backfired. The operator investigated the incident and observed fire in the area of the expansion joint on the compressor exhaust. He immediately extinguished the fire with a 20 lb. dry chemical unit, with minimal damages. It was determined that there was a split in the expansion joint. 26-May-2002 - BP Exploration & Oil Inc.
Remarks: The cook inadvertently placed a box outside the galley near the designated smoking area. The wind blew some ash from a lit cigarette into the box, and it ignited a small plastic bag that had some coffee filters in it. The flame was immediately extinguished using a jug of drinking water. This platform has been shut in for several months. The smoker was part of a construction crew repairing handrails and grating in preparation for the arrival of a drilling rig.
30-May-2002 - ChevronTexaco Corporation
Remarks: Smoke was observed originating from a rig electric air compressor. The fire alarm was sounded, and the rig floor ESD was activated. Within five minutes the fire was extinguished with a 30 lb. dry chemical unit. Apparently, a pinhole developed in the cooling coil housing, and lube oil leaked on the hot surface of the electric air compressor radiator, creating a small fire. 06-Jun-2002 - ChevronTexaco Corporation
Remarks: The operator was flowing the well back to the tank after completing an acid job when a spontaneous combustion flash fire occurred. Rig employee observed a fire coming from the hatch lid of the oil receiving tank. The fire lasted a few moments and self extinguished. The operator is conducting a RCA. 08-Jun-2002 - BP Exploration Inc.
Remarks: Fire alarm went off indicating a fire was in the main switch gear room. Smoke was observed when door was opened to the room. Shut door and all personnel continued to muster at their lifeboats. Electrician and fire team leader entered MCC on SCBAs and fire extinguisher. They found smoke coming out of the transformer feeder cubicle. The control transformer for the cubicle had a winding failure causing an insulation failure. There was no indication of fire or short. Transformer experienced a premature internal failure. 13-Jun-2002 - Newfield Exploration Company
Remarks: While removing a rental crane, welder was cutting a gusset on the top deck. On the second deck, chemical transporters were covered with damp tarps. The tarps dried out and slag from the cutting fell on the tarps and they caught fire. Fire was put out with the hand held units. No damage or pollution was observed. 13-Jun-2002 - Exxon Mobil Corporation
Remarks: Facility shutdown initiated fire pump engine start up. Smoke was observed coming from the engine exhaust manifold area. Open flame was observed when operator attempted to shut down the engine. Fire appears to have been caused by an engine turbo charger failure on the primary fire pump. The fire was extinguished using a hose reel supplied by the alternate fire pump system. 30-Jun-2002 - PetroQuest Energy, L.L.C.
Remarks: A fire occurred on the oil heater treater. It was quickly extinguished. 06-Jul-2002 - Texaco Inc.
Remarks: Pipeline was reported to MMS pipeline section as having ruptured and having flames 100 high. The location of the rupture was 6,000 ft north of the A platform. The flames lasted 2 hours. The pipeline PSL shut in the platform at the time of the rupture. 18-Jul-2002 - Forest Oil Corporation
Remarks: A small fire was observed coming from the insulation covering the exhaust on a glycol reboiler vessel. The vent piping on top of the vessel leaked a small amount of hydrocarbons onto the exhaust below and ignited a fire. It was extinguished with minimal damage to the vessel. 26-Jul-2002 - Dominion Exploration & Production, Inc.
Remarks: The operator was performing welding and cutting operations approximately 25 above the flotation cell. Sparks fell down onto the flotation cell where the gas caught fire from the leaking hatch covers on the float cell. A fire watch, located by the float cell, extinguished the fire with fire water hose. No property damage. 29-Jul-2002 - BP Exploration & Oil Inc.
Remarks: While performing a walkaway VSP on location, an air compressor on the aft deck of the M/V, used to discharge the seismic air guns, caught fire. An air-cooled diesel engine compressor lost its fan belt, allowing the engine to overheat rapidly causing some oil/grease residue on the engine manifold to flare up. The fire was contained by the air cooling shroud and died out as soon as the compressor was shut off. 03-Aug-2002 BP Exploration & Oil Inc.
Remarks: A contractor employee was grinding on a double plate when sparks (hot slag) came into contact with a welding lead line, and a small flash fire occurred. The fire burned the employees right hand. The fire was extinguished immediately. The employee was sent into shore for medical treatment and released for duty the same day. 04-Aug-2002 The Louisiana Land and Exploration Company
Remarks: A generator fire occurred when escaping gas from a loose union leaked into a generator enclosure and caught fire. The union may have been loosened by vibration or the union may not have been sufficiently tightened. 07-Aug-2002 Newfield Exploration Company
Remarks: While the platform operator was preparing the morning report, he heard a noise that sounded like gas leaking. Upon investigation, he discovered that the first stage suction cylinder valve cap gasket had burst and was leaking gas. While shutting down the compressor, the gas ignited and caused a flash fire around the turbo charger. The fire seemed to go out by itself, but the operator used one 20 lb. fire extinguisher to make sure the fire was extinguished. 08-Aug-2002 BP Exploration & Oil Inc. (also listed as Loss of Well Control)
Remarks: The well began to flow during a short trip. The crew put the well on diverter. The crew shut in the platform, and evacuated the rig and platform. The flow ignited. After approximately one hour, the flow subsided, and the main fire was out. Small fires continued on the rig floor. On August 11, a team boarded the platform and rig to assess damage and formulate a plan to regain control of the well. 11-Aug-2002 Panaco, Inc.
Remarks: The bearings on a watermaker overheated and vapors caught fire. One 30 lb. hand held fire extinguisher was used to put out the fire. Minimal damage was noted. 16-Aug-2002 ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
Remarks: During a thunderstorm, the gas compressor shut down and lightning struck the gas being vented from the compressor case vent. It was a very small fire and was extinguished immediately with a 20 lb. dry chemical fire extinguisher. The platform was shut in on an ESD initiated by a fusible plug (TSE) that melted. There was minimal damage. 02-Sep-2002 Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Remarks: A small fire occurred in the D storeroom on the rig. A rag on top of the transformer was ignited by a piece of hot slag. The fire was extinguished with a 30 lb. dry chemical unit by the fire watch on duty. 03-Sep-2002 Shell Offshore Inc.
Remarks: During the night, high winds tore a tarpaulin loose and the tarp landed on the exhaust of the generator and caught fire. The fire was small and quickly extinguished. 03-Sep-2002 Anadarko Production Company
Remarks: A small fire occurred on the crankcase vent on the platforms compressor. A temperature safety element melted near the fire and shut the platform in. The company believes that the fire may have been caused by the canisters top cover snap coming off and allowed crankcase oil to be splashed on the turbo charger. The fire was small and was extinguished with one 30 lb. dry chemical handheld unit. 04-Sep-2002 BP Exploration & Production Inc.
Remarks: A tote tank on top of a gas generator building furnished oil to a day tank for the generator. The tote tank suction hose parted, and oil leaked down the building onto the gas generator exhaust manifold. A small fire occurred. The fire was observed immediately and extinguished with a 30 lb. chemical unit. 20-Sep-2002 Norcen Explorer, Inc.
Remarks: A tarp set up for sand blasting untied and fell against the compressor exhaust. The tarp was burnt slightly along with some melted paint and plastics. 21-Sep-2002 Shell Offshore Inc.
Remarks: In preparation for Hurricane Isidore, the crane boom was placed in its cradle and chained down. On September 22, 2002, the crane mechanic discovered evidence of an electrical fire in the cab of crane No. 3. The mechanic immediately notified the OIM and an interim assessment of the situation was made. An investigation team assembled and made a decision to secure power to all three cranes until the cause of the fire actually occurred. The fire originated in the area behind and to the left of the operators chair. This area contained numerous cables used for the mipeg computer, radios and paging. At some point a 120 v ac power strip was added to accommodate a radio charger power for the royal boom mounted camera, and a small fan. The bulk of the fire was at the floor level and involved the cabling, power strip, adjacent insulation and enclosure and the fan. The fan, s small inexpensive unit with plastic housing and a spring type clip was found in the middle of the burned area. The spring clip was found on top of a low mounted enclosure on the back wall. One breaker was found in the tripped position and was designated receptacle. 25-Sep-2002 ChevronTexaco Corporation
Remarks: Upon returning to the platform after a hurricane evacuation, personnel discovered the platform living quarters and communications building were destroyed by fire. Preliminary SCADA information indicated a gas detector alarm at 1800 hours on 9/25/02 and a ESD alarm at 2000 hours on 9/25/02. Several components on the LACT unit were damaged and other process equipment was little or no damage. Vermilion 214, platforms A, B, C & D are all shut in as a result of the fire. 26-Sep-2002 BP Exploration & Production Inc.
Remarks: Upon returning to the platform after a hurricane evacuation, personnel discovered that the firewater pump, panel, and associated electrical wiring had caught on fire while the platform was unmanned. The fire apparently extinguished itself. Based upon the operators investigation RCA report, the fire pump was not locked out during the evacuation, and apparently ran 14 hours prior to the above fire. The fire happened due to a leak in a fitting on the fire pump engine diesel return line that sprayed onto the exhaust manifold insulation and caught fire. 27-Sep-2002 - Newfield Exploration Company (also listed as Injury)
Remarks: While trying to ignite the oil heater, a small flash fire occurred causing slight burns to the side of the face of the operator. This was due to the accumulation of gas. The operator had opened the main burners instead of just using the pilot to light the vessel. 29-Sep-2002 PetroQuest Energy, Inc.
Remarks: A fire occurred, of small size, while attempting to start the compressor. 30-Sep-2002 Bois d`Arc Offshore Ltd.
Remarks: There was a flash fire on a gas generator. A TSE shut in the platform. The fire was put out with a 30 lb. handheld dry chemical fire extinguisher. 10-Oct-2002 BHP Petroleum (GOM) Inc.
Remarks: While welding on the ceiling for the 1st floor, boxes on the second floor caught on fire. The fire alarm was sounded and the fire extinguished with hand held fire extinguishers. The welder had a hot work permit but failed to check what was above the plate he was welding on. 17-Oct-2002 Burlington Resources Offshore Inc.
Remarks: After responding to a production process alarm, the operator proceeded in returning the platform back to normal operation. In the process of doing so, the compressor shut in due to high discharge pressure. He then noticed the fire at VR 119 G and four operators were dispatched to the G platform via a field boat. At approximately 0125, the fire was extinguished with the boats fire monitor. 22-Oct-2002 Denbury Offshore, Inc.
Remarks: The fire occurred at a deck drain on the west side of the drill deck during cutting and welding operations. The fire was extinguished with dry chemical extinguishers in approximately 2 minutes by the fire watch. The area was monitored for 1 hour after extinguishing the fire. No injuries and no damage occurred. 23-Oct-2002 Petro Ventures, Inc.
Remarks: A recently installed rental reciprocating gas compressor caught fire internally. It appears lube oil escaped form the base of the compressor and migrated up into the turbo charger exhaust manifold creating an internal fire. The fire was extinguished with four 30 lb. dry chemical units. 26-Oct-2002 ChevronTexaco Corporation
Remarks: A fire occurred inside a line heater motor housing. The fire occurred about 15 to 20 seconds after the operator pushed the start button which starts the motor. The fire was contained inside the motor housing and extinguished itself after the safety shutdown tripped the breaker removing the energy source. The RCA indicated that the fire was caused by the overheating of the polyurethane foam inside the silencer box. 30-Oct-2002 Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Remarks: A pump was producing an excessive amount of hydrocarbon (engine oil) through the engine exhaust. Hydrocarbon started collecting between exhaust insulation and the exhaust, heat caused the hydrocarbons to ignite. 07-Nov-2002 ChevronTexaco Corporation
Remarks: The recurrence of a fire to the subsea line heater force draft motor (previous fire was 26-Oct-2002) prompted an on sight investigation. Two contractor techs installed the new blower motor and silencer housing for the line heater on 07-Nov-2002 and performed the initial start-up. Approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes after the line heater was on-line and up to normal operating temperature, the operator received a BSL alarm and the unit shutdown. The operator found the motor silencer housing on fire. The operator extinguished the fire with a 30 lb. hand held unit. It has been determined that both fires (26-Oct-2002) occurred as a result of heat transfer from the exhaust stack to the blower motor housing, which caused the noise suppressing material to ignite. 11-Nov-2002 BP Exploration & Oil Inc.
Remarks: A severe lightning storm moved through the field and struck the platform. The lightning appeared to strike the communications tower. A small flame was observed around the flame arrestor on top and glycol reboiler stack tower, and another small flame was observed on the mute stack (compressor seal oil vent) flame arrestor. The heavy rain quickly extinguished the glycol reboiler stack fire. An operation team extinguished the mute stack fire. 12-Nov-2002 Unocal Exploration Corporation
Remarks: While welding, the protective blanket caught fire. It was extinguished with dry chemicals. 14-Nov-2002 Century Exploration Company (also listed as Injury)
Remarks: (Right of way lease G 11724). A small fire started in the meter shack. Indications are that ignition source was electrical wiring. The fire was extinguished with Purple K, generators were turned off, and all incoming and outgoing pipelines and production were secured. Two employees were treated at Port Sulfur Clinic for minor eye irritation. 17-Nov-2002 ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
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