Injuries – 2005

09-Jan-2005 – El Paso Field Services, L.P.

(also listed as Fire)

Remarks: A cracked 1” nipple on the dump line of a suction scrubber leaked condensate while being repaired. The condensate was allowed to form a puddle about 4 feet in diameter and ¼ inch deep. An unknown source ignited the condensate and a brief fire occurred. The fire was extinguished within five minutes. Two employees were slightly injured and given first aid on location.
 

14-Jan-2005 – SPN Resources, LLC

Remarks: While performing maintenance on the condensate coalescer, gas began blowing back from the pipeline. Personnel did not properly isolate the gas pipeline which allowed gas to migrate from the gas sales pipeline back through the production train and escape through open-ended piping at the coalescer. The incident resulted in 26 miles of 30” pipeline being bled down and 35.4 MCF of gas being vented to the atmosphere. The platform was evacuated and two employees sustained minor injuries; however, both were released back to work.

 18-Jan-2005 – Apache Corporation

(also listed as Fire)

Remarks: A contract employee was attempting to break bolts on a loose piece of process piping. The pipe was approx 2" in diameter and 12' long. A check valve and ball valve were located in the middle of this pipe about one inch away from each other. Neither valve was open nor could have been opened. When the employee could not break the bolts he attempted to cut the bolts with a cutting torch. As he made his cut a small amount of hydrocarbons that were trapped between the valves, flashed into his face. He was wearing goggles but received a small burn on his nose and cheek area. He was flown in to get checked by a doctor. The doctor diagnosed him with second degree burns and released him with antibiotic cream and pain medication to treat the wound.

06-Feb-2005 – Unocal Exploration Corporation

Remarks: The winch operator was changing out choke line under the rig floor. A snatch block was assembled to the winch cable and the cable gathered to one side of the reel. The winch stalled out and the operator tried to steer the cable by hand. The cable jumped and his fingers were caught in the snatch block injuring the tips of two fingers. He was treated at a local hospital and released back to light duty.

07-Feb-2005 – Hunt Oil Company

Remarks: An employee was moving equipment on the rig floor with the assistance of the air hoist. During the lift, the load swung onto his finger against the drill floor. He sustained ligament damage to his finger.

20-Feb-2005 – Dominion Exploration & Production, Inc.

Remarks: A contract employee injured his hand while attempting to unclog a 6” vacuum hose which was clogged with mud and cuttings. Instead of using the proper equipment or getting help, he attempted to release the hose and change out the cuttings box. The weight of the clogged hose was too great for the employee to handle and the hose fell against a pipe pinning his hand underneath. The employee sustained a broken index finger with damaged tendon and a severely bruised and cut thumb.

23-Feb-2005 – Forest Oil Corporation

Remarks: While proceeding to the heliport, an employee hit his head on an overhead beam and fell backwards down the stairway. Employee received medical treatment and was diagnosed with budging discs and limited cervical motion. He has not been released to return to work.

26-Feb-2005 – BP Exploration & Production Inc.

(also listed as Fire)

Remarks: In an attempt to reposition a coupling on a crankshaft, heat was applied to the

 coupling. At the same time, pressure was also applied to the coupling with a

 hydraulic power pack. During this process, it is believed that the hydraulic pressure

 hose for the power pack came in contact with the heat applied to the crankshaft and burst. When pressure was released, the escaping oil atomized and flashed from the heat applied to the coupling. The flash caused minor burns to a pipe fitter. No damage to property or pollution resulted from the fire.

04-Mar-2005 – Union Oil Company of California

Remarks: While running casing, the crane operator was positioning 2 joints of casing on the catwalk with the crane when the load pinned the choker lines. The roustabout was loosening the choker lines with a pry bar when the casing joints moved and the roustabout was hit in the head with the pry bar. He was sent to the hospital where he received stitches and was released.

07-Mar-2005 – Shell Oil Company

Remarks: The crane operator lowered a subsea tree onto the deck of the M/V Legend. A rigger climbed onto the tree to unlatch the crane block/hook. In doing so, he slipped and fell onto the boat deck approximately 10 feet below. He was airlifted to a hospital where he was treated for injuries to his head, back and shoulder.

13-Mar-2005 – Helis Oil & Gas Company, LLC

Remarks: A Bell 206L-1 single engine helicopter en route from ST 220 to ST 165 for refueling was unable to land due to the presence of another helicopter on the helideck. The pilot returned to ST 220, landed on the helideck, and idled the aircraft for approximately 10 minutes when the helicopter started to “rock backwards”. The pilot attempted to level the aircraft; however, the tail boom separated from the fuselage and both sections of the helicopter fell off the platform and into the water, destroying the aircraft and seriously injuring the pilot. The NTSB determined the probable cause of the accident to be the pilot’s abrupt input of the collective while the main rotor RPM was at idle, which resulted in the separation of the tail boom (see NTSB factual and probable cause reports).

27-Mar-2005 – Dominion Exploration & Production, Inc.

Remarks: After completing liquid transfer operations from the boat to the platform, a crewman disconnected the 4” liquid transfer hose on the boat and was untying the ropes securing the hose to the deck. The boat moved forward to avoid the heavy seas which were coming over the stern. The hose went taught (presumably due to the forward movement of the boat) and the sling holding the hose disconnected from the crane hook on the spar. The hose fell and struck the crewman breaking his leg. He was treated at the scene and transported to the hospital.

19-Apr-2005 – Apache Corporation
 

Remarks: A contract employee sustained injuries to his eye and respiratory system due to the sudden release of residual gas while he was in the process of removing the valve cylinder cap from a compressor. Prior to the incident, the valve cylinder had been bled down. The cause of the residual pressure behind the cap is not known. The employee was transported by helicopter to the hospital for treatment.

27-Apr-2005 – Chevron Texaco Corporation
 

Remarks: A roustabout was standing on a stack of drill pipe attempting to straighten out a joint of pipe. He shifted position straddling the pipe joint and his right foot slipped between two joints of pipe. One pipe joint rolled against his foot, pinning and fracturing his ankle. He was able to pull his foot free and was given first aid at the scene. The next day he was transported to shore for medical treatment.

 08-May-2005 – Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

(also listed as Fire)
 

Remarks: A contract mechanic received minor burns while working on a generator. He removed the discharge piping from the generator and applied gas to the starter and started the engine. A loose connection associated with the spark plug wiring ignited engine exhaust gas. The flash fire extinguished itself without damaging the generator.

19-May-2005 – Chevron Texaco Corporation

Remarks: The crew was working around surface flow head which contains 3 valves with handles. The handle is secured by tract pins. They were in the process of tying tugger lines. One line was on the wrong side of the valve. A person whipped the line to get it on the other side. The valve handle fell off and fell 49 feet striking a Noble employee on the front left side of his hard hat. He was medivaced to Terrebonne General then to Charity.

21-May-2005 – Forest Oil Corporation

(also listed as Pipeline Event)

Remarks: A contract diver working on subsea pipeline tie-in was injured when he grabbed the active line on a crane block about 40 feet below the surface. At the time of the incident, he was en route to the buoy line tethered to the bottom. His right hand was caught in the travel line into the block, severing the tips of two fingers. He was transported via helicopter to the hospital.

29-May-2005 – Apache Corporation

Remarks: The upper most crane light broke away from its mount and fell approximately 80 feet, striking an employee on the head. He was transported to the hospital and was released from the hospital on June 1.

18-Jun-2005 – LLOG Exploration & Production Company

Remarks: This accident took place while installing a temporary flare boom. The crane was supporting the temporary flare boom while the support cables and the pedestal were being welded to the deck. After the installation, the crane slacked off of approximately 3-5 feet of cable, and a well testing employee was asked to test the boom. The method of testing the flare boom is to have a man walk out on the flare boom and jump up and down several times to test the integrity of the installation. The flare boom has hand rails and grading walkway that extend approximately 80 feet, all the way out to the flare tip or head. The well testing employee walked out to the end cat walk of the boom where he tested the boom by jumping up and down on the boom several times. He was then informed to fix the burner shield because it was crooked and to disconnect the crane slings. He first stepped over the hand rail with only a work vest on and without fall protection to fix the burner. The weld on the pedestal support failed causing the boom to drop approximately 3-5 feet taking up the slack on the crane load line. This violent shaking of the flare boom caused well testing employee to lose his grip and balance and fall some 95 feet in to the water. The work boat was close by, and they threw a life ring and came along side where he climbed the ladder on to the work boat.

24-Jun-2005 – Stone Energy, L.L.C.

(also listed as Explosion)

Remarks: Contractors were performing handrail repairs on the facility. During this activity the Oxy/Acetylene torch would not stay lit. A rigger was sent to adjust the amount of oxygen supplied to the torch. When the rigger began to adjust the flow on the regulator it exploded causing injury to the rigger's right hand.

28-Jun-2005 – Apache Corporation

Remarks: An employee was carrying a box down a flight of stairs between decks when he slipped and fell an unknown distance striking his head and back on the grating and possibly the handrails. He was found unconscious but later regained consciousness and was transported to the hospital via medivac helicopter. No trip hazards or obstructions were observed on the stairway.

30-Jun-2005 – BP America

Remarks: Several employees were removing a temporary winch from under the lower deck box during hurricane preparedness activities. The winch weighs 23,000 lbs. and travels on a fixed I-beam monorail. An extension lifting beam was bolted onto the monorail to enable removal or the winch. As the winch was being moved onto the lifting beam, the weight of the winch transferred onto the beam causing the beam to bend downward. As a result, the connection point between the lifting beam and the monorail parted causing the beam to tilt and the winch to slide off the beam into the water. Two riggers sustained first aid injuries during the incident.

03-Jul-2005 – BP Exploration & Production Inc.

Remarks: An employee fractured his right hand while attempting to remove piping from a high pressure line heater. He was flown to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment, and released by his physician for further treatment.

07-Jul-2005 – BP Exploration & Production Inc.

Remarks: Several employees were removing a temporary winch from under the lower deck box during hurricane preparedness activities. The winch weighs 23,000 lbs. and travels on a fixed I-beam monorail. An extension lifting beam was bolted onto the monorail to enable removal or the winch. As the winch was being moved onto the lifting beam, the weight of the winch transferred onto the beam causing the beam to bend downward. As a result, the connection point between the lifting beam and the monorail parted causing the beam to tilt and the winch to slide off the beam into the water. Two riggers sustained first aid injuries during the incident. No damage was reported to the hull or pontoons.

15-Jul-2005 – BP Exploration & Production Inc.

Remarks: The contract employee suffered a LTI while assisting in tightening the Hydrill after the rubber was replaced. During the operation, a chain link stretched and broke under tension by a come-along. The hook or chain struck the contractor and lacerated and fractured his left arm. He was transported to the hospital via medi-vac helicopter where he underwent surgery.

20-Jul-2005 – Forest Oil Corporation

(also listed as Fire)

Remarks: A flash fire occurred while several employees were diagnosing a coolant leak on the gas compressor. A contract employee sustained first and second degree burns to both arms when a spark from an unknown source ignited the gas and ignition wiring. The fire was immediately extinguished with a 30 lb. dry chemical unit. Damage to wiring is estimated at $200. The injured man was taken to the hospital, treated, and released.

21-Jul-2005 – PetroQuest Energy, L.L.C.

Remarks: A contract employee was attempting to free a section of skirting from the heliport while it was being lifted with a crane and nylon sling. The skirting popped free causing the employee to loose his balance and fall head first approximately 15 feet to the wellhead below and an additional 10 feet to the main deck. He was not wearing a safety harness. He was taken to the hospital via helicopter.

26-Jul-2005 – Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

Remarks: The employee was flagging for the crane operator when he tripped over a fixed roller and fell forward, striking his left knee on the deck grating.

29-Jul-2005 – W & T Offshore, L.L.C.

Remarks: While attempting to make a connection, the drill line parted and the block and top drive fell approximately 5 feet to the rotary table, seriously injuring an employee. The employee sustained a crushed foot and was air lifted to the hospital where he will require surgery. The top drive and drill pipe were damaged in the accident.

29-Jul-2005 – Stone Energy Corporation

Remarks: An employee was taken to the hospital for treatment after injuring his finger during an air hoist lift.

30-Jul-2005 – Apache Corporation

Remarks: While cleaning the inside of a ballast tank, a contract employee fell off a ladder 15 ft to the floor below. He was taken to the hospital for treatment for a broken right leg and wrist.

30-Jul-2005 – Newfield Exploration Company

Remarks: A Diamond employee was loosening the bolts on the lower section of the BOP stack. After hitting the wrench with a mallet, the wrench came off the bolt and struck the employee in the shin. He was sent to the hospital for medical treatment and stitches for a deep cut on his leg.

03-Aug-2005 – Explorer Enterprises of Louisiana LLC

Remarks: A contract employee was replacing the prover loop ball on the LACT unit. After removing the prover loop inspection cap, he noticed the ball was approximately 10 feet inside the tube. Air pressure was applied to the loop behind the ball to push the ball out of the tube. When the ball ejected, it hit the contractor in the head causing him to fall to the floor. He sustained a gash to the head and was flown to the hospital for medical attention.

12-Aug-2005 – Forest Oil Corporation

(also listed as Fatality)

Remarks: A coiled tubing crew was rigging up an injector head to a coiled tubing BOP stack. A crew member was attached to the BOP stack with a safety harness. As he attempted to remove a cap on the stack with a hammer, the stack moved and broke away from the tubing and fell to the seafloor with the crewman attached. Divers retrieved the man within a few minutes and tried unsuccessfully for 45 minutes to resuscitate him. Another worker was struck in the leg by the return hose from the stack and knocked into the water; he suffered a bruised calf. MMS is investigating this accident.

13-Aug-2005 – Energy Resources Technology, Inc.

(also listed as Fire)

Remarks: A contract welder was cutting stiffeners in a confined space when a piece of hot metal or slag burned and ruptured the cutting torch’s oxygen hose. The escaping oxygen caused a flash fire which was witnessed by the fire watch who immediately closed the valve on the oxygen cylinder and extinguished the fire. The welder received 1^st and 2^nd degree burns to his inner thighs and groin. He was flown to the hospital for medical treatment and is expected to return to work in 2 weeks time.

19-Aug-2005 – BP America Production Company

Remarks: Individual was assisting others in the process of carrying the bit braker. He stumbled and his finger was caught between the handle on the bit braker and the deck flooring lacerating the finger. He received 5 stitches for the cut finger and returned to the facility the next day with restrictions not to over extend his lifting activities.

01-Oct-2005 – Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Remarks: The injured party was setting up a portable hose crimper to repair a hose on the drag chain on the BOP carriage. When another employee plugged it in, the cylinder stroked out and crushed the injured man’s thumb. He was sent to the hospital for treatment.

05-Oct-2005 – Apache Corporation

Remarks: On Oct. 3, a welder cut access holes in the platform deck grading on the well deck and on the lower production deck. The access holes were left without barricades. On Oct. 5, the production crew boarded the platform. One member of the production crew fell through the open hole on the well deck. He fell 8 ft. and landed across the open hole on the lower production deck and was able to stop himself from falling further. He sustained injuries in the fall.

14-Oct-2005 – TDC Energy LLC

Remarks: A welder/fitter was attempting remove two sections of ladder and covering ladder guard cage. He secured his fall protection to the ladder. He was also standing on the ladder and cutting the upper attachment points of the ladder. After severing the upper attachment points, the two bottom braces failed. The employee and the sections of ladder and cage guard dropped 30 ft. to the loading dock and then fell into the water. The employee was able to free himself and swim to the surface. He sustained a broken leg and taken to the hospital for treatment.

26-Oct-2005 – Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Properties LLC

Remarks: A 9 ft by 9 ft opening was prepared on the rig floor to accommodate driving 60-inch casing. A barricade was placed around the opening with 1-1/4-in pipe and ½-in wire rope. The Driller, standing on the deck below the opening, tossed a hand radio upwards thru the opening to the Derrick man on the rig floor. The Derrick man leaned forward against the barricade, which was not strong enough to support his weight, and fell forward through the barricade and eventually fell 25 ft. to deck below. The derrick man briefly lost consciousness but was awake and answering questions before he was medi-vaced from the facility with a laceration on his chin and bumps and scrapes on his forehead.

30-Oct-2005 – Marlin Energy Offshore, L.L.C.

(also listed as Fire)

Remarks: The crew was cutting nuts from the tubing hanger flange with a torch which ignited a flash fire. Prior to initiating the hot work, no signs of hydrocarbons were apparent in the tubing hanger. Movement of the flange allowed gas trapped in the hanger to migrate and ignite. The flash fire extinguished immediately on its own. One crewman sustained a minor red rash on his neck as a result of the flare up. He was treated at the scene with a topical burn cream after which he returned to work.

01-Nov-2005 – Century Exploration New Orleans, Inc.

Remarks: An employee was working on the rig floor handling tubing while tripping in the hole. The pipe fell striking the employee on the upper back. He was sent in for treatment and released to return to light duty the next day.

02-Nov-2005 – Apache Corporation

Remarks: After completing a fracture job, there was 9,500 lbs. pressure on the drill pipe. The drill pipe was pulled to move the crossover tool to the reverse position but the manifold choke was left open which allowed the pressure to bleed to zero in less than a minute and caused a pressure surge on the 2-in overboard line. Although the line was tied down, the pressure parted the rubber line. The unsecured line whipped around uncontrollably, causing damage to the facility and striking and seriously injuring an employee. The employee sustained four fractured ribs and lacerations to his spleen and left kidney. Property damage to the VRU panel, panel glass, eyewash station and fiberglass sink is estimated at $5,300.

20-Nov-2005 – Apex Oil & Gas, Inc.

Remarks: The rig maintenance supervisor was working a valve in a vice and unaware that an employee was in the work area. The second man reached over to steady the valve. In doing so he slipped and inadvertently placed his fingers in valve. The tip of his left middle finger was completely severed by the valve.

02-Dec-2005 – Kerr-McGee Oil & Gas Corporation

Remarks: While extracting the compressor head from the cylinder, the load became unbalanced and the sling slipped, pinching the employee’s right little finger between the sling and the load. The employee sustained a laceration, broken bone, and torn tendon on his finger.

26-Dec-2005 – Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

(also listed as Fire)

Remarks: An electrical fire ignited in the store room. Electrical wiring in the horizontal wire tray was secured with metal tie wire that cut into the 480 volt electrical cable and caused the wire to arc. The sparks ignited EMD air filters that were presoaked with oil. The fire spread to rope, rubber goods, and other supplies in the storeroom and burned for 7.5 hours before it was completely extinguished. A member of the fire fighting team slipped and injured his knee while fighting the fire. Damage to electrical wiring, lights, EMD air filters, and other supplies is estimated at $25,000. There was no pollution.