Significant Pollution Incidents - 1996
(There were no "Significant Pollution Events" in 1995)
(> 50 bbls)
| Date: | 01-MAY-96 | Operator: | Exxon Corporation |
| Investigation: | Complete | Activity: | Development |
| Lease: | P00182 | Event(s): | Pollution (150 bbls crude) / Fire |
| Area: | Santa Barbara Channel | Operation: | Production |
| Field: | Pescado | Cause: | Human Error / Equipment Failure |
| Rig/Platform: | Heritage | Water Depth: | 1,075' |
Remarks: At some time prior to May 1, 1996, the four drain valves on the pig launcher were left in the open position. This may have happened during the last pigging operation, which occurred March 16, 1996. On May 1, 1996, Platform Harmony had a shutdown due to a faulty circuit board on the fire and gas system, which in turn shutdown Platform Heritage. Heritage personnel decided to test shutdown valves and pressure operated valves on the pipeline and other valves that require a complete platform shutdown in order to perform these tests. One of the valves that was function tested was pressure operated valve 791-3. The operator noticed an air leak on the stem of the valve. He closed the valve and turned the air off. It appears that air leaked past the controller and reopened the valve (this valve is not a fail-safe close valve).