Fires - 1996
Date: | 02-JAN-96 | Operator: | Enserch Exploration, Inc. |
Investigation: | Complete | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G07486 | Event(s): | Fire / Pollution (2.0 bbls) |
Area: | Garden Banks | Operation: | Drilling |
Block: | 388 | Cause: | Equipment Failure / Weather |
Rig/Platform: | Enserch Cooper / A (Cooper) | Water Depth: | 2097' |
Remarks: While tripping the drill string
out of the hole, the block motion compensator fluid fill hose snagged on the
traveling block guide rail and parted the fluid fill hose, two air hoses, and
the control line for the Olmsted valves on the motion compensator. Approximately
two barrels of fluid were released from the hose. The wind sprayed fluid onto
the flash gas compressor exhaust system and manifold piping in two uninsulated
surfaces resulting in ignition and a flash fire. The drill floor was secured,
and production was shut in by manual activation of the ESD system. The fire was
extinguished within minutes, and no injuries resulted from this incident.
Date: | 03-JAN-1996 | Operator: | Entre Energy Corporation |
Investigation: | None | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G05740 | Event(s): | Fire |
Area: | Chandeleur | Operation: | Production |
Block: | 29 | Cause: | Equipment Failure |
Rig/Platform: | A | Water Depth: | 40' |
Remarks: A fire occurred when glycol from
the glycol reboiler leaked onto the insulation. The fire was extinguished using
a 30# dry chemical extinguisher.
Date: | 05-JAN-1996 | Operator: | DelMar Operating, Inc. |
Investigation: | Complete | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G00437 | Event(s): | Fire / Injury(1) |
Area: | Eugene Island | Operation: | Production |
Block: | 199 | Cause: | Equipment Failure |
Rig/Platform: | A-QRTS | Water Depth: | 101' |
Remarks: The platform operator was
warming up (idling) the gas compressor engine when the final discharge piping
exploded causing a small flash fire. The flash fire extinguished itself
immediately. One operator was passing near the compressor piping when the
explosion occurred, resulting in minor injuries to his eyes and face and ringing
in the ears.
Date: | 11-JAN-1996 | Operator: | Conoco, Inc. |
Investigation: | None | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G00175 | Event(s): | Fire |
Area: | Grand Isle | Operation: | Production |
Block: | 43 | Cause: | Equipment Failure |
Rig/Platform: | AA-QRTS AQ#1 | Water Depth: | 110' |
Remarks: A fire occurred when glycol
soaked insulation began to smolder. The insulation became soaked due to a
leaking flange on the glycol reboiler. The small flame was extinguished using a
30# dry chemical extinguisher.
Date: | 18-JAN-1996 | Operator: | ORYX Energy Company |
Investigation: | None | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G04268 | Event(s): | Fire |
Area: | West Cameron | Operation: | Production |
Block: | 648 | Cause: | Equipment Failure |
Rig/Platform: | A | Water Depth: | 395' |
Remarks: The oil line on a diesel
generator broke, and motor oil blew onto the exhaust pipe. The fire was
extinguished with a handheld extinguisher. There was no damage.
Date: | 24-JAN-1996 | Operator: | ORYX Energy Company |
Investigation: | Complete | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G02327 | Event(s): | Fire / Blowout |
Area: | Eugene Island | Operation: | Completion |
Block: | 380 | Cause: | Human Error |
Rig/Platform: | Sundowner 15A | Water Depth: | 338' |
Remarks: Oryx was in the process of
completing the upper sand. The perforating guns were pulled from the well and a
packer plug retrieving tool was made up to the bottom of the workstring/tubing.
The packer plug was then pulled. A gravel pack assembly and gravel pack screen
were then run in the well. Completion fluid started to flow out the top of the
workstring/tubing as it was being worked in the well. The crew was not able to
connect the top drive unit to the workstring/tubing. The blind rams were closed
but the flow out the workstring/tubing did not change. Additional rams and the
annular preventer were closed. Gas flowing out the workstring/tubing ignited.
Forty-five personnel were evacuated from the rig by two vessels without
incident. Within 2 hours after the fire ignited, the top drive fell to the rig
floor. Shortly afterwards, the derrick toppled. The fire extinguished itself
about midnight on January 28, 1996, and the well was killed on February 7, 1996.
Date: | 27-JAN-1996 | Operator: | Chevron USA, Inc. |
Investigation: | Complete | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G01146 | Event(s): | Fire |
Area: | Vermillion | Operation: | Production |
Block: | 245 | Cause: | Equipment Failure |
Rig/Platform: | C | Water Depth: | 124' |
Remarks: An operations specialist
observed a small flame on No. 1 generator exhaust and manually activated the ESD
system to shut in the platform. The fire was extinguished using carbon dioxide
extinguishers. No injuries or pollution resulted from this incident. The
activated ESD system operated properly and shut in the platform. Cracks in the
exhaust piping and flanges resulted in an exhaust residue build-up between the
generator exhaust piping and the generator insulation blanket.
Date: | 04-FEB-1996 | Operator: | Phillips Oil Company |
Investigation: | None | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G02372 | Event(s): | Fire / Pollution (.7 bbls) |
Area: | High Island | Operation: | Production |
Block: | 489 | Cause: | Equipment Failure |
Rig/Platform: | A | Water Depth: | 250' |
Remarks: Upset in the flare scrubber
resulted in oil being spilled onto a compressor and starting a fire. The fire
was put out quickly.
Date: | 02-MAR-1996 | Operator: | Texaco Exploration & Production, Inc. |
Investigation: | None | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G02388 | Event(s): | Fire |
Area: | High Island | Operation: | Production |
Block: | A563 | Cause: | Human Error |
Rig/Platform: | B | Water Depth: | 305' |
Remarks: An investigation team was
inspecting a compressor, which they shut down and closed the suction and
discharge manual block valves. There was a slight amount of gas escaping through
the valves, which ignited causing a flash fire. The ESD was initiated and a 125#
dry chemical unit was used to extinguish the fire.
Date: | 04-MAR-1996 | Operator: | Exxon Corporation |
Investigation: | None | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G03091 | Event(s): | Fire |
Area: | Marsh Island | Operation: | Production |
Block: | 632 | Cause: | Equipment Failure |
Rig/Platform: | Ensco 90 / A | Water Depth: | 69' |
Remarks: The #1 generator was being put
back in service when the generator panel shorted out, resulting in a fire. The
fire was quickly extinguished using a 20# CO2 extinguisher. Fire
damages include replacement of the generator and associated wiring.
Date: | 08-MAR-1996 | Operator: | Conoco, Inc. |
Investigation: | Complete | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G03289 | Event(s): | Fire |
Area: | East Cameron | Operation: | Production |
Block: | 57 | Cause: | Equipment Failure |
Rig/Platform: | JB | Water Depth: | 52' |
Remarks: A pipeline riser rupture and
flash fire occurred on the 6-in departing bulk gas pipeline. Analysis of the
pipe determined that the failure was due to tensile overload consistent with
creep failure. Failure was due to gradual thinning of the pipe wall from
corrosion due to breaches in the pipe coating. Fire damage was limited to a
charred floatation life ring and a charred section of the CLX electrical cable.
The PSL sensor actuated and isolated the JB-3 well and shut off flow.
Date: | 11-MAR-1996 | Operator: | Shell Offshore Inc. |
Investigation: | Complete | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G04131 | Event(s): | Fire / Pollution (.3 bbls) |
Area: | GC | Operation: | Production |
Block: | 19 | Cause: | Equipment Failure |
Rig/Platform: | A | Water Depth: | 750' |
Remarks: The Glycol contactor, which
dumps to the glycol still column, received oil from the gas outlet of the
high-pressure separator. The oil in the still column went out the vent, which is
located above No. 1 and No. 2 generator exhaust, the probable ignition sources.
The fire tripped the platform fusible plug system, shutting in all production
and closing all pipeline shut-down valves. The fusible plug system shut-in the
generator, therefore, the electrically powered firewater system would not work.
The fire was extinguished using dry chemical.
Date: | 15-MAR-1996 | Operator: | Texaco Exploration & Production, Inc. |
Investigation: | Complete | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G02868 | Event(s): | Fire |
Area: | Vermillion | Operation: | Production |
Block: | 31 | Cause: | Equipment Failure |
Rig/Platform: | A | Water Depth: | 15' |
Remarks: A small flash fire on the
exhaust manifold of the No. 1 compressor was the result of a high liquid level
in the vapor recovery system (VRS) activating the LSH and shutting in the Nos. 1
and 2 compressors. Liquid was drained from the VRS and the LSH was cleared. The
platform operator noticed a flash fire around the exhaust manifold while he was
attempting to restart the compressor. The fire was quickly extinguished with a
hand-held extinguisher. After a second attempt to start the compressor, it began
to backfire and smoke. The inspector found a small crack in an expansion joint
on the compressor. A new expansion joint was installed.
Date: | 26-MAR-1996 | Operator: | Chevron USA, Inc. |
Investigation: | Complete | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G02047 | Event(s): | Fire |
Area: | East Cameron | Operation: | Production |
Block: | 272 | Cause: | Weather |
Rig/Platform: | D | Water Depth: | 182' |
Remarks: The platform operator responded
to a platform fire loop system (TSE) alarm, which resulted from a direct
lightning strike to the flash gas venting from the arrestor of the oil tank's
vent line. He immediately extinguished the fire with a dry chemical
extinguisher. The only damage was to a fusible plug that had been burned and
melted. The fusible plug was replaced, the fire loop system was recharged, and
the platform returned to production.
Date: | 03-APR-1996 | Operator: | Midcon Offshore, Inc. |
Investigation: | Complete | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G03323 | Event(s): | Fire / Injury (1) |
Area: | East Cameron | Operation: | Production |
Block: | 220 | Cause: | Equipment Failure |
Rig/Platform: | A | Water Depth: | 99' |
Remarks: Platform operator 1 was cleaning
sand and BS&W from the flare scrubber by removing the flange to flange piping
and drain valve from the vessel. Operators 2 and 3 were simultaneously
initiating production and pressuring up the production separator. The pressure
relief valve relieved prematurely through the valve and piping. This pressure
surge generated static electricity and ignition. Operator 1 was in the immediate
vicinity of the escaping gas and fire and received burns to his face, neck, and
arms. The fire scorched the flare scrubber and contact tower, melted the
electrical wiring tray, and activated the fire loop system by burning through a
TSE, which properly resulted in total platform shut down.
Date: | 06-APR-1996 | Operator: | Norcen Explorer, Inc. |
Investigation: | Complete | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G02600 | Event(s): | Fire / Injury (1) |
Area: | South Marsh Island | Operation: | Other - Crane Operation |
Block: | 281 | Cause: | Equipment Failure |
Rig/Platform: | C | Water Depth: | 30' |
Remarks: The platform operator was
attempting to start the platform diesel crane engine whose starter is propelled
by 140 psi supply gas pressure. The operator sprayed ether into the engine air
intake and walked around the side to signal another operator to open the gas
start valve. When the first operator checked to see if the engine started, he
heard an explosion, and a brief flash fire occurred, inflicting first and second
degree burns on his face. The operator was transferred to a quarters facility
and treated by a medic. The burns were considered minor, and the operator
declined further medical evaluation at a land-based facility.
Date: | 09-APR-1996 | Operator: | Marathon Oil Company |
Investigation: | None | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G02934 | Event(s): | Fire |
Area: | West Delta | Operation: | Other - Welding |
Block: | 86 | Cause: | Human Error |
Rig/Platform: | A | Water Depth: | 150' |
Remarks: While performing welding operations, a tarpaulin shielding welding slag caught on fire.
Date: | 09-APR-1996 | Operator: | Conoco, Inc. |
Investigation: | None | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G00128 | Event(s): | Fire |
Area: | West Delta | Operation: | Other - Production |
Block: | 70 | Cause: | Human Error |
Rig/Platform: | A | Water Depth: | 130' |
Remarks: The operator was removing the
orifice plate when gas from the meter migrated into the insulation of the
compressor engine exhaust. The gas ignited blistering paint on the piping and
engine.
Date: | 11-APR-1996 | Operator: | Texaco Exploration & Production, Inc. |
Investigation: | None | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G02384 | Event(s): | Fire |
Area: | High Island | Operation: | Production |
Block: | A555 | Cause: | Equipment Failure |
Rig/Platform: | A | Water Depth: | 260' |
Remarks: Flames 3-4' high were discovered
coming from the glycol regenerator filler cap area. After closing the fuel valve
to the fire tube burner, the fire was fully extinguished after a few reflashes.
The platform was shut in, and the insulation around the filler cap area was
cooled with water. There was no significant damage.
Date: | 11-APR-1996 | Operator: | Phillips Petroleum Company |
Investigation: | None | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G02421 | Event(s): | Fire |
Area: | Matagorda Island | Operation: | Production |
Block: | 330 | Cause: | Equipment Failure |
Rig/Platform: | A | Water Depth: | 265' |
Remarks: During a platform check, a 2-ft
flame emitting from the Glycol reboiler was observed. The reboiler and the
platform were shut in and the alarm was sounded. A hand-held 30# fire
extinguisher was used to extinguish the flames, and fire water was utilized to
cool down the unit. The reboiler had previously been shut down for repairs and
re-piping. The unit was then placed back into operation. An investigation
revealed that the insulation was saturated with condensate, apparently when the
release valve activated.
Date: | 13-APR-1996 | Operator: | Texaco Exploration & Production Company |
Investigation: | None | Activity: | Development |
Lease: | G02388 | Event(s): | Fire |
Area: | High Island | Operation: | Drilling |
Block: | A 563 | Cause: | Human Error |
Rig/Platform: | Rowan Fort Worth / B | Water Depth: | 305' |