Injuries – 2004 (43 incidents – 58 injuries total)

04-Jan- 2004 – Westport Oil and Gas Company

Remarks:  While riding the man rider in the derrick, a crewman was struck in the head by an 8-inch vent pipe he was attempting to remove.  The pipe had been lifted by the air hoist but had not been tied and suspended at the center.  When the flanged end of the pipe was disconnected, the pipe flipped over striking the crewman in the head.  He sustained cuts to the forehead and back of head and swelling in the face and head.  His head was bandaged at the scene to stop the bleeding and he was transported to the hospital in a medivac helicopter. 

05-Jan-2004 – Chevron Texaco Corporation

Remarks:  Several operators were attempting to close a header valve with a pipe wrench.  One man was pulling on the wrench when the valve jumped suddenly in the closed position causing the wrench to strike him just below the knee cap.  He is expected to be absent from work from 4 to 6 weeks.  

 19-Jan-2004 – Newfield  Exploration Company

Remarks: Two operators had just replaced the sight glass on the LLOG Methanol skid and were in the process of putting it back into service when the sight glass ruptured scattering glass particles which struck both men.  One operator had blurred vision in his left eye and a cut to the left ring finger which required stitches. He was held over for a CAT scan as a precaution.  The other man was treated for minor cuts with butterfly bandaids and released.  Both men were wearing full PPE including safety glasses.         

01-Feb-2004 – PetroQuest Energy, LLC

Remarks:  Employee was standing on a wellhead securing the lubricator to the top of the tree using a 24” pipe wrench.  When he applied force to the wrench, the wrench slipped and the employee lost his balance and fell approximately 12 feet onto the deck below.  He was transported to a medical facility on shore. 

01-Feb-2004 – Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Remarks:  The hoist operator set the 17 7/8” running tool partially on rig floor and partially on a beam elevated 8 inches above the rig floor.  The roughneck disconnected the tool from the hoist and released the cable with his right hand when the tool fell off the beam.  When the tool fell, the cable slapped his right hand fracturing the right radial bone in his wrist.  His arm was splinted at the scene to reduce movement and given ice to reduce swelling.  He was transported to the hospital the following morning where his lower right arm will be placed in cast; however, he will have to wait 3 days for the swelling to subside.  

28-Feb-2004 – Forest Oil Corporation

Remarks:  The platform crane was to begin offloading cargo from the M/V when crane operations were temporarily halted due to an arriving helicopter. The crane operator was watching the arrival of the helicopter when an employee on the M/V became wedged between cargo which appears to have shifted. The injured employee was transported by boat to a nearby platform and subsequently flown to a hospital in Galveston for treatment.  

01-Mar-2004 – Anadarko E&P Company LP

Remarks:  While using a 24-inch pipe wrench, the employee’s hands slipped off the wrench and the wrench struck him in the head.  

06-Mar-2004 – El Paso Production Company

Remarks:  A Bell 206L-3 single engine helicopter was substantially damaged following autorotation into the water immediately after takeoff from the platform.  The helicopter remained afloat and was later transported to shore for inspection.  The helicopter was occupied by the pilot and two contract employees.  All three men were transported to the hospital and released the same evening.  One passenger sustained minor injuries consisting of scratches, abrasions, and bruises.  The NTSB cited a partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons as the probable cause (see NTSB factual and probable cause reports).  A contributing factor was the floats were not deployed.

17-Mar-2004 – Kerr-McGee Oil & Gas Corporation

Remarks:  H2S was discovered during flow back operations of well A-2 that was completed using acid stimulation.  The H2S was found in the Cetco Equipment (atmospheric vent system and water handling equipment).  Concentrations of 110-150 PPM H2S were detected with a gas detection probe inside the atmospheric vent system.  However, H2S was not detected when the probe was extracted from the vent less than 1 foot away or in the atmosphere.  The well was shut-in as a precaution. 

On March 19th, the well was opened into the test separator for the purpose of atmospheric testing and monitoring for H2S. Maximum H2S levels of 24 PPM were observed within the inlet of the separator which dropped to zero over the next 20 hrs.  H2S was not detected in the atmosphere outside of the equipment.  Four Cetco employees indicated that they had been exposed to H2S (complained of dizziness, sore throat, etc.) and were sent to the hospital as a precaution. The men were administered oxygen, a saline drip, and X-rayed; however, the hospital could not confirm H2S exposure and the employees were released to full duty the same day.  They were subsequently seen by their company physician on March 22^nd and determined to be free of any affects of H2S exposure. 

22-Mar-2004 – Union Oil Company of California
(also listed as Collision)

Remarks:  The M/V Jacqueline under contract to Magnum Hunter was en-route to ADTI’s Rig Noble Fri Rodli on WC-295 when it collided with the caisson.  Two men received minor injuries.  The vessel incurred extensive damage to the bow and the caisson is leaning 30 degrees.  

28-Mar-2004 – Unocal Exploration Corporation

Remarks:  The rig welder had attached a rope to a 5-inch mooring line that was being lowered by the crane operator.  The welder’s leg was struck by the rapidly descending mooring line which pinned his leg against the handrail and fractured his tibia.  He was transported by medivac helicopter to the hospital for treatment.

09-Apr-2004 – Exxon Mobil Corporation

Remarks:  Employee was injured while making a routine trip into the hole to drill out cement.  After a stand of drill pipe was stabbed in the hole, the employee hurriedly engaged the Hawk Jaw on the drill pipe and tightened the connection to pre-torque limits. The Hawk Jaw, which had not been positioned properly on the drill pipe, jarred loose from the top stand and crushed the employee’s left hand between the left control box and the drill pipe.  

11-Apr-2004 – Chevron Texaco Corporation

Remarks:  The injured person was climbing down the ladder from the snubbing unit basket to the platform deck when he lost his footing.  He fell approximately 15 feet to the deck below.  The incident occurred during a heavy rain that had just started. 

12-Apr-2004 – Dominion Exploration & Production, Inc.

Remarks:  While removing the radiator from the generator, the radiator became lodged on the  heat exchanger.  The injured man was helping to free the radiator when it fell over and smashed his hand against the handrail.  

19-Apr-2004 – Forest Oil Corporation

Remarks:  While attempting to remove the fill-up line from the Bell Nipple on the BOP stack, the floorhand was being lowered through the rotary table in a riding belt on an air hoist line, contrary to established work procedures.  While he was in the rotary, which had the bushing removed, the BOP stack shifted pinning the man between the Bell Nipple and the rotary pollution pan causing a serious fracture to the head above his right ear. The injured man was transported to the hospital via medivac helicopter for treatment.      

20-Apr-2004 – Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Remarks:    The welder’s helper was holding up some free-standing accumulator bottle racks while welding was being performed on the bottle racks.  The bottle racks were not secured and tipped over possibly due to the rocking motion of the vessel.  The welder’s helper could not support or escape the falling rack which fell on his leg pinching it severely.  He was transported to the hospital via medivac helicopter where his leg was amputated.  

17-May-2004 – Exxon Mobil Corportion

Remarks:  During a lifeboat deployment drill, the lifeboat suddenly tilted possible due to a slipping cable fall on the hoist.  One individual in the lifeboat was admitted to the hospital and two others were treated for minor injuries and released. 

19-May-2004 – Spinnaker Exploration Company, LLC

Remarks:  Contract workers were in the process of replacing the choke and choke seat on the well.  They bled down the flow line and removed the hydraulically controlled choke and choke seat from the choke body.  The SSV on the tree had been closed from the control panel to allow  the flow line and sand knockout to be bled down.  No other valves on the tree or flow line were closed except those down stream of the choke body.  The cap was then removed from the choke body.  At this time, the SSV was mistakenly opened at the control panel and then closed immediately.  The lag time between opening and closing the SSV with the control switch allowed the full well volume to flow uncontrolled through the open choke body towards the living quarters.  Wind born gas vapors blew over the meter run house and the generator house and ignited.  As a result, the living quarters, meter run house, meter runs and telemetry systems, and the main generator were destroyed in the fire.  Damage is estimated at $800,000. 

In addition, two contract workers were seriously injured and had to be taken by boat to an adjacent facility and subsequently transported to the hospital via medivac helicopter.  One man sustained unspecified burns and the other man sustained a broken bone when he jumped to a lower deck.

22-May-2004 – Unocal Exploration Corporation

Remarks:  The contractor night cook felt pain in his lower back while lifting an object on May 20, 2004.  He reported the incident on May 22 and was sent in on a boat on May 23.  He subsequently sought medical evaluation on May 24.  

23-Jun-2004 – Dominion Exploration & Production, Inc.

Remarks:  Drill pipe was being lifted into the V door and up to the rotary for connection to the drill string.  As the pipe was lifted, the single joint slipped out of the elevators striking a man working at the rotary table who was preparing the drill string for the joint being lifted.  The falling joint of pipe struck the man on the back of his left shoulder, left leg, and foot.  He was transported to the hospital for medical treatment for a separated shoulder and five broken toes.  The tip of his big toe was amputated at the hospital.  

After the accident, the elevators were inspected and found to be in the closed position with the safety pin installed, and in proper working order.  Ensco and Dominion believe the pipe joint could not have fallen unless the pin was left out and the elevators were not completely latched.   

29-Jun-2004 – Anadarko E&P Company LP

Remarks:  The crane operator was standing on the crane walkway performing an inspection on the crane while the crane was rotating.  The operator’s left foot was pinched between the crane walkway handrail and the platform handrail and smashed.  He was transported to the hospital for medical treatment. 

02-Jul-2004 – Apache Corporation

Remarks:  The rig crew was circulating and conditioning mud after a short trip.  The roustabout was wiping caked mud off of the drill pipe using geolograff wire, with handles at each end, which he wrapped around the pipe.  The driller then rotated the drill pipe, increasing the speed to 70 RPM’s.  The wire caught on the drill pipe collars and wrapped around the roustabout’s right hand, spinning him 3-5 times before the driller could stop the rotation.  The roustabout sustained several broken fingers on his right hand and a broken right arm.  

13-Jul-2004 – Devon Louisiana Corporation
(also listed as Fire)

Remarks:  A fitter was trimming a piece of deck grating using a cutting torch.  A section of 3/8” tubing with 1,220 lbs. of gas pressure was installed in between the grating bars.  A piece of slag or flame from the torch touched the tubing and ignited a flash fire which extinguished immediately.  The fitter; who was wearing PPE, hard hat, safety glasses, and a face shield; was burned on the neck and left ear.  

25-Jul-2004 – ATP Oil & Gas Corporation

Remarks:  While working on the Christmas Tree, an employee slipped and fell between the grating and the well and sustained a cut to the head and unspecified back injuries.  He was taken to the hospital via medivac helicopter for treatment.  He is expected to be away from work for at least a few days.  

16-Aug-2004 – LLOG Exploration Company
(also listed as Fire)

Remarks:   The operators installed a ball valve in the vent exhaust line to the pipeline pump starter to stop back flow of fluid and gas into the starter exhaust when it was not in use. A short time later, the platform shut-in due to a PSL signal on the fuel scrubber.  The compressor was brought back on line but the pipeline pumps did not start.  The operators removed the vent line hoses on both starters to remove fluid that had accumulated downstream of the starter vent but left the hoses open ended.  The operators then shut-in the incoming wells and compressor.  As the lead operator walked over to the pipeline skid; the blow down valve on the compressor opened and vented gas and fluids which ignited.  Apparently, gas and fluid from the vent (flare) system back flowed through the open vent hoses into the pipeline dump skid. The gas migrated throughout the skid and found an ignition source that resulted in a fire and injury to the operators.

Damage from the fire to electrical cable and instrumentation to the pipeline pump skid, regulators, valves, gauges, small piping and stainless tubing is estimated at $96,000.  Additionally, the lead operator sustained first and second degree burns to his face and hands and was transported by helicopter to the hospital for treatment.  He was released later that evening and remains on restricted duty.  A second operator tripped and fell on his right hand and knee while fighting the fire.  He was flown to the hospital, treated, and released the same day.  Subsequently he was seen on August 17, 2004 by a local doctor and released to full duty.

19-Aug-2004 – BP America Production Company

Remarks:  The crew was removing a conductor bell guide using the derrick barge crane’s 65 ton capacity whip line block and ¾” sling (5.6 ton SWL).  The crane operator attempted to lift the bell guide and noticed he had 15 tons on the weight indicator and stopped the lift.  The barge foreman stepped closer to the load and the weight indicator increased to 20 tons due presumably to wave induced loading.  The ¾” sling broke sending the whip line block and 80 feet of rigging hurling towards the derrick boom.  The whip line block cable snapped sending the block to the deck.  The rigging fell to the deck and stuck the foreman, causing severe injury to his arm, shoulder, and three discs in his back.  The injury is classified by BP as “Days Away From Work Case” injury.  

25-Aug-2004 – Energy Resource Technology, Inc.

Remarks:  Employees were removing a shut down valve underneath the heliport using the crane to move the valve.  While dragging the valve across the deck, the valve caught a sheet of grating and pulled it loose leaving a gap in the deck grating.  An employee stepped into the gap and fell approximately 30” where his foot was pinned by a section of 2” pipe.  He was transported to the hospital and diagnosed with a dislocated right ankle and leg fractures to the tibia and fibula.   

26-Aug-2004 – Anglo-Suisse Offshore Partners, LLC
(also listed as Fire)

Remarks:  A contract mechanic was checking the left bank of the compressor engine.  When the engine was started, gas and liquid leaked out of the starter area and ignited, burning hair on the mechanic’s face and arm. The small fire around the starter area was extinguished with a 30 lb. fire extinguisher.

28-Aug-2004 – Shell Offshore Inc.
(also listed as Fire)

Remarks:  A small grease fire occurred on the grill in the galley.  The fire was immediately smothered out with a fire blanket that was stored in the galley.  While putting the fire out with the fire blanket, the cook sustained minor 1st degree burns on the right arm.  The cook was immediately treated by the facility medic and returned to duty.  Investigation of the incident determined that the fire occurred from grease residue that had accumulated under the grill.  There was one minor injury, no pollution and no damage. 

23-Sep-2004 – Newfield Exploration Company

Remarks:  The rig’s crew was installing a deep well pump at the bow leg.  Two roustabouts were guiding one 30’ joint of 6” pipe by hand over the handrail.  As the joint was being moved into position to be connected, the flanged lip of the joint became wedged underneath one of the handrail supports. One roustabout attempted to use his foot to free the pipe. The flange dislodged and pinned the man’s foot and ankle between the flange and the handrail support. He was given first aid at the scene and transported to the hospital to treat a broken ankle.  

29-Sep-2004 – Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Remarks:  While attempting to set the inner rings and master bushing in the rotary table opening, the floor hand accidentally placed his right foot under the lip of the adapter ring. When the master bushings contacted the adapter ring, the latter fell into place trapping the man’s foot between the lip of the adapter ring and the rotary table. The employee was given first aid at the scene and evacuated by helicopter to the hospital where four toes and part of his right foot were amputated. 

29-Sep-2004 – Chevron Texaco Corporation

Remarks:  While lifting drill pipe with pipe straps, the pipe fell striking an employee, fracturing his leg and injuring his toes.  He was transported to the hospital via medivac helicopter for surgery. 

13-Oct-2004 – W & T Offshore, Inc.
(also listed as Fire)

Remarks:  The operator was pumping methanol from a tote tank to the platform storage tank through a polyflo hose.  The transfer hose had a weak spot which developed a leak and allowed methanol to spray on the generator exhaust.  The operator shut the valve on the pump to abate the flow; however, the methanol ignited. He initiated a platform emergency shut-down and quickly extinguished the fire with a hand held, dry chemical fire extinguisher.  There was no damage as a result of the fire but the operator sustained second degree burns to areas on his left hand, left leg, and head.  He was transported to shore and treated and released by a physician.

22-Oct-2004 – Union Oil Company of California

Remarks:  A contract employee lacerated his left index finger while changing a crankshaft in the mud pump.  At the time, he was hitting a pin with a sledge hammer in his right hand, missed the pin, and struck his left index finger with the hammer handle.  The cut required 7 stitches. 

28-Oct-2004 – Chevron Texaco Corporation

Remarks:  While testing the BOP’s, a crewman was inspecting the casing valve to verify that it was open. During this process, one of the hold down pins came out of the TBG hanger flange followed by water. The crewman tried to get away and hit his head on an obstruction which  rendered him unconscious for a brief period.  Another employee pulled him away and he regained consciousness. 

06-Nov-2004 – ATP Oil & Gas Corporation

Remarks:  The lead operator was operating the crane while off loading wireline equipment from the boat.  The injured worker was walking on the top deck guiding the lift line when he stepped on the well access hatch.  The hatch gave way and the man and the hatch fell to the production deck below.  Upon inspection, the structural beams which should have been supporting the access hatch were cut, which allowed the hatch to move freely inside the opening.  The injured man was unconscious and bleeding from his head and leg.  He was transported to the hospital via medivac helicopter with multiple injuries to his head, back, shoulder, and leg.

16-Nov-2004 – Unocal Exploration Corporation

Remarks:  Four roustabouts were attempting to disconnect the riser yoke on the starboard forward crane from the turning device.  One roustabout’s hands were pinched between the crane boom and riser yoke valves and plumbing.  Apparently, the men failed to follow the job work plan  and performed the tasks out of sequence.  The injured man sustained a fractured right wrist and a crushed finger on his right hand.  Additionally, two fingers on his left hand were partially amputated.  He is expected to be away from work for 90 days. 

18-Nov-2004 – Gryphon Exploration Company

Remarks:  While attempting to stab the Hydril, the floor hand’s finger was smashed between a bolt and the bowl of the Hydril. He was transported to the hospital via helicopter for x-rays and stitches. 

18-Nov-2004 – Conn Energy, Inc.

Remarks:  The crane operator was lifting a load from the heliport using the crane on the lift boat.  Seas were rough and the lift boat shifted which caused the load to swing and become partially wedged under the edge of the heliport.  The operator continued to raise the stuck load causing one cable to break and tossing the load and the coil tubing operator approximately 10’ in the air and onto the deck below.  The coil tubing operator was transported to the hospital were he received stitches in his left leg and was released.    

22-Nov-2004 – Newfield Exploration Company

Remarks:   Instead of using the crane as instructed, two contract employees attempted to lower  a sack of sand (weighing approximately 1,000 lbs.) by hand, from one deck to another.  The employees tied the sack of sand to the handrail and tried lowering it by hand using a rope that was tied to the sack on one end and wrapped around the handrail. They were unable to control the decent of the load and their hands became pinched between the rope and the handrail. One man sustained brush burns and a broken finger. 

03-Dec-2004 – Apache Corporation

Remarks:  The lift boat completed jackup operations next to the platform when the back of the lift boat began to sink. It is believed that the one of the lift boat’s pads was sited in an abandoned spud can hole.  All passengers evacuated the barge with one minor injury.  A small sheen was observed at the site.  The barge was carrying 1,340 gallons of diesel, hydraulic, and motor oil.    

15-Dec-2004 – Nexen Petroleum U.S.A. Inc.
(also listed as Collision)

Remarks:  A workboat (M/V International Voyager) collided with the platform leg causing substantial damage to the platform.  Four contract personnel were sent to the hospital and treated for first-aid.  All four men returned to work in less than 72 hours; however, one individual subsequently complained of lower back problems.  Following the accident, the vessel’s captain reported a loss of steering as the boat approached the platform.  As a result, the vessel was unable to avoid hitting the structure.          

17-Dec-2004 – W & T Offshore, Inc.
(also listed as Fatality)

Remarks:   A Bell 407 single engine helicopter was destroyed after impacting the platform and water.  The pilot was maneuvering to land on the helideck when the main rotor blades struck an object that was temporally placed on the helideck. Subsequently, the helicopter rolled off the helideck and impacted the water. The owners of the platform stated that the helideck was not operational at the time of the accident; however, the operator of the helicopter reported that they were not aware of the status of the platform.  The pilot and two passengers were flown to the hospital for treatment; the third passenger sustained fatal injuries at the scene. The pilot sustained a broken ankle or leg and several broken ribs.  The two surviving passengers sustained minor injuries according to the NTSB.   Damage to aircraft and platform is estimated at $1,700,000.

The NTSB determined the probable cause of this accident to be the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with a stationary object while maneuvering for landing. Contributing factors were the inadequate facilities available for landing, the pilot's lack of information regarding the landing area, and the operational status of the offshore platform (see NTSB factual and probable cause reports).

20-Dec-2004 – Apache Corporation

Remarks:   A contract welder engaged in installing grating to a walkway stepped into an open hole and fell 45 feet into the water below.  The open hole had not been flagged, guarded or made inaccessible to personnel as required by both the operator’s and the contractor’s written policies. Apparently some construction workers on the facility were unaware of the existence of the open hole.  The injured welder was treated at the scene and evacuated to a hospital where he was treated for three broken ribs and released later the same day.

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