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    Melinda Mayes

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    OMM Web Team

Fires – 2003 (99 total)

06-Jan-2003 – Energy Partners, Ltd.

Remarks: At the end of the work shift on the previous day, the construction crew left the construction lights on. At approximately 0200 hours on Jan. 6, an electrical fire ignited from the extension cord that was left plugged in on the platform deck. During the conduct of drilling operations, the gumbo flow from the well wet the extension cord and ignited the fire. The cord was immediately unplugged and the fire extinguished itself.

07-Jan-2003 – Walter Oil & Gas Corporation
(also listed as Explosion, Collision, and Pipeline Event)

Remarks: The M/V which was moored 2.2 miles from the platform snagged the associated gas pipeline while retrieving its anchor. The vessel began pulling up the anchor at 0736 hours and halted the operation at 0830 hours when the Captain realized he’d snagged a heavy object. Ten minutes later, the Captain noticed fire and smoke under the platform and notified the USCG. Sometime after 0800 hours, the platform operator felt several jolts to the platform which intensified in strength and eventually rocked the platform. The operator shut-in the platforms two producing wells. About 10 minutes later, the platform was jolted again and the gas pipeline broke loose and an explosion and fire erupted from the severed pipeline beneath the platform. The three individuals on the platform at the time evacuated the facility via helicopter. Damage to the platform and pipeline is estimated at $1,841,000. The vessel was moored outside of the designated lightering area per the instructions of the Mooring Master. The Mooring Master and the Captain were unaware of any pipelines in the mooring area as apparently neither one had a copy of the pipeline overlay to the NOAA nautical chart.   

12-Jan-2003 – Apache Oil Corporation
(also listed as Pipeline Event)

Remarks: Due to an upstream pigging operation, there was a rapid influx of dry oil in the free water knockout separator. The LSH on the separator failed to function. Also, the SDV on the incoming pipeline failed to close during the abnormal event causing a small amount of oil to carry over out of the vent stack. Winds blew the oil onto the platform generator exhaust resulting in a fire. The fire was extinguished with water cannons and the platform ESD was activated. The necessary repairs have been made and the safety system was tested before the platform was returned to service.

14-Jan-2003 – Freeport-McMoRan Sulphur LLC

Remarks: An SO2 sensor detected gas and sounded an alarm. The platform was immediately shut in. A fire was detected in a sulphur trough vent pipe which originated from the H2S absorption system. The fire was extinguished immediately using three 30 lb. dry chemical units, fire water, and one 300 lb. dry chemical unit. It was determined that the fuel was dried sulphur (rusty iron sulfide) on the walls of the trough which ignited spontaneously in the presence of  oxygen. The operator cleaned the sulphur trough before returning this platform to service.

16 Jan-2003 – Century Exploration Company
(also listed as Explosion, Injury, and Fatality)

Remarks:  A Bell 206L-1 single engine helicopter was destroyed on impact with the platform. The helicopter crash landed on top of a generator skid on the platform deck and caught fire. The pilot and two passengers were seriously injured and a third passenger was fatally injured. The three men were seen bailing out of the aircraft after impact. There was a second explosion and the fire became more intense. Platform personnel began to fight the fire with 30 lb. and 150 lb. dry chemical extinguishers and water. The NTSB cited the pilot’s improper approach and settling with power as probable causes (see NTSB factual and probable cause reports). Damage to the platform is estimated at $1,132,475.

17-Jan-2003 – Shell Offshore Inc.

Remarks: Glycol from a still column overflowed intermittently out of the glycol reboiler vent. Strong winds blew the glycol onto a nearby exhaust manifold. The glycol ignited and created a small fire which was extinguished immediately with a water hose. A fault level control was detected in the glycol system and repaired before the system was returned to service.

18-Jan-2003 – Union Oil Company of California
(also listed as Pipeline Event)

Remarks: The operator lined up the valves at the platform and then checked the choke on the well. He then opened the well up to the high pressure system. After flowing for a short time, the operator noticed a fire at the facility coming from the water line. The operator shut in the well and the fire extinguished itself. Upon investigation, it was determined that the pipeline parted approximately 8 feet upstream of the tube turn.

01-Feb-2003 – GOM Shelf LLC
(also listed as Injury)

Remarks:  An employee working on an open gas line ignited a fire. Prior to the incident, the employee had removed a one-inch gas vent line but failed to check for gas fumes and plug the open end of the pipe which continued to leak gas. The employee was dismantling a second one- inch gas vent line at the time of the accident. He apparently hit the hammer union on the second vent line with a non-brass hammer causing a spark which ignited the fire. The employee received first and second degree burns to his face and hands.  

10-Feb-2003 - Unocal Exploration Corporation

Remarks: The platform was shut in and the pipe between the production separator and the compressor was isolated. One end of the pipe was opened up and a skillet was installed in the other end. The pipe was then filled with water. The supervisor determined that it was safe to make the cut and the welder began cutting into the pipe using an acetylene beveling machine. A mixture of water and hydrocarbons boiled out of the pipe and ignited. The burning liquid spilled onto the solid deck. The posted fire watch and the two operators extinguished the fire using four 30 lb. extinguishers. The only damage was some paint burns on the pipe and the solid deck. No injuries to personnel occurred.

11-Feb-2003 – Exxon Mobil Corporation

Remarks: Welding was being conducted on the overboard produced water discharge line when a small fire started. The source was a small hydrocarbon leak in the high pressure cooler that came in contact with the coil wire and ignited gas vapors existing in the produced water discharge line. The fire was extinguished immediately with fire water and eight gallons of foam. The operator completed an investigation and then returned to normal operations.

17-Feb-2003 – Unocal Exploration Corporation

Remarks: A monosep caught fire during a lightning storm. No injuries, pollution, or property damage resulted.

19-Feb-2003 – El Paso Production Oil & Gas Company

Remarks: While replacing grating and deck plate on the drilling deck, slag fell onto a tarp which was covering a well panel and caught on fire. The fire melted some poly-flo and regulators inside the panel before being extinguished.

25-Feb-2003 – Exxon Mobil Corporation

Remarks: A small fire was observed at the gas sales compressor crankcase vent line. The compressor had shut down on an unrelated problem. Air was able to mix with an existing oil film on the compressor exhaust manifold which ignited a small fire. Soon after it started, the fire was detected by personnel who were near the compressor. The fire was extinguished immediately, using a 30 lb. dry chemical unit, with minimal damage to the compressor. The repairs were made and the compressor was returned to service.

27-Feb-2003 – PetroQuest Energy, L.L.C.

Remarks: A fire occurred at the base of the glycol reboiler due to the accumulation of condensate and glycol in the insulating material. High heat was the ignition source. The leak occurred from a belzona weld.

02-Mar-2003 – Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Remarks: Smoke was reported coming from the dryer in the laundry room. The dyer was unplugged and opened and a fire extinguisher was discharged into the smoldering towels in the dryer. The dryer was subsequently carried outside of the laundry room where water was used to extinguish the towels. Upon further investigation, the vent and filter were found to be plugged with lint.

04-Mar-2003 – Union Oil Company of California
(also listed as Injury)

Remarks: The incident occurred when the contract operator was attempting to equalize pressure on a meter on the test separator to make a plate change. In changing the plate, the operator failed to properly secure the hold down bar on the meter which allowed gas to escape. The escaping gas rose upward where it was ingested into the generator directly above the separator causing the engine to backfire and igniting a back flash fire down to the gas leak. The individual said he was blown backwards several feet; he sustained injuries to his lower back, neck, and right forearm while trying to exit the area. Onboard personnel utilized a 30 lb. fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire at the meter. Property damage is estimated at $750.

05-Mar-2003 – Forest Oil Corporation

Remarks: An upset in the skimmer caused approximately 1 gallon of condensate to be discharged overboard. A welder working on handrails ignited the condensate and a small fire occurred. The fire was extinguished with a 30 lb. chemical fire extinguisher.

20-Mar-2003 – Samedan Offshore Corporation

Remarks: A contractor noticed a small fire on the heater treater which he put out with a hand held extinguisher. It was later determined that when the vessel was recently shut down for an extended period, a small oil leak (less than 1 cup) occurred in the gasket area of the firetube flange. The oil soaked into a portion of the mineral wool insulating blanket that covers the firetube flange. The leak affected the bottom section, at the insulation blanket area only, and was not externally visible. When the vessel was restarted, the affected portion of the insulation blanket was heated until it flashed and ignited the fire.

31-Mar-2003 – BP Exploration & Production Inc.