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  Pacific Region

Fires – 2002 (total 6)

11-Mar-2002 – Arguello Inc.

(also listed as Injury)

MMS Investigation Report:

Completed

Activity:

Development/Production

Lease:

P00315

Event(s):

Fire / Injury (1)

Area:

6A

Operation:

Production

Block:

5585

Cause:

Human Error

Rig/Platform:

/ Harvest

Water Depth:

675 feet

Remarks: An electrician was pulling cable into an electrical cabinet when the cable became grounded creating an arc and flash fire. The electrician sustained burns to his left hand, upper chest and lower neck area. The electrician was medi-vaced to a hospital.    

14-Mar-2002 – Exxon Mobil Corporation

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Development/Production

Lease:

P00182

Event(s):

Fire

Area:

6A

Operation:

Production

Block:

5277

Cause:

Human Error

Rig/Platform:

HP-403 / Heritage

Water Depth:

1, 075 feet

Remarks: Filters were removed from service and placed by drain to cool off. Platform personnel cleaned the area and closed out lockout/tagout. About one hour later, platform personnel on piperack noticed smoke and called the control room. The control room dispatched the response team and they put out the fire with a handheld fire extinguisher.  

26-Apr-2002 – Venoco, Inc.

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Development/Production

Lease:

P00217

Event(s):

Fire

Area:

6B

Operation:

Production

Block:

4862

Cause:

Human Error

Rig/Platform:

Grace

Water Depth:

318 feet

Remarks: Isolation valve leaked allowing explosive air-gas mixture to reach ignition source at flare.  

30-Jul-2002 – Venoco, Inc.

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Development/Production

Lease:

P00205

Event(s):

Fire

Area:

6B

Operation:

Production

Block:

4661

Cause:

Equipment Failure

Rig/Platform:

/ Gail

Water Depth:

739 feet

Remarks: Heat trace wiring insulation on the fuel gas line to generator caught fire; the circuit breaker activated and shut down the heat trace electrical circuit; a fire eye activated and shut down the generator. The fire was extinguished with a powder fire extinguisher. No other damage and no injuries.  

26-Aug-2002 – Arguello Inc.

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Development/Production

Lease:

P00450

Event(s):

Fire

Area:

SM

Operation:

Production

Block:

464

Cause:

Equipment Failure

Rig/Platform:

/Hidalgo

Water Depth:

430 feet

Remarks: A fire occurred in the air compressor cabinet. The compressor seal leaked oil/coolant onto the cabinet floor. The cooling fan motor connection shorted to ground providing an ignition source for the oil/coolant. The fire was extinguished by hand held chemical extinguishers.    

07-Nov-2002 – Nuevo Energy Company

MMS Investigation Report:

Completed

Activity:

Development/Production

Lease:

P00234

Event(s):

Fire

Area:

6B

Operation:

Production

Block:

5064

Cause:

Equipment Failure

Rig/Platform:

/ Habitat

Water Depth:

290 feet

Remarks: A blown head gasket saturated the insulating blanket material surrounding the exhaust neck with oil. The heat ignited the oil soaked insulation resulting in fire. Fire eye detected fire and shut-in the platform. Lead operator identified and extinguished fire with handheld extinguisher.

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Last Updated: 10/19/09, 11:52 AM