Coast Guard: Deadly oil rig fire off La. coast
This is breaking news with lots of changing information. It’s reporter that two workers have been killed.
This is reported as a blowout but they also claim they were not actively drilling.
Here is what we know: Something on the rig blew up. People were possibly hurt. There are surely environmental consequences.
Update: The fire on the rig is believed to have been extinguished and so far there have been no reports of any spillage. The platform was not in production at the time of the explosion.
Please note: If there was an explosion, there had to be something explosive that caused the explosion. IJS.
At lease two people are missing and four were airlifted out.
This might be a good time to mention another item from the industry PSYOPS conference.
Moderator Michael J. Basilesound bite: How can we lower the bar of the public’s expectations associated with the reality of mistakes LISTEN
My notes from the PSYOPS conference:
43:43 Question from moderator: Bar is set so high by the public. “Energy production is a contact sport. It’s like going to a football game and not expecting–ever–a player to be left on the field, pardon me, but a graphic hit. Add to that, it’s a combustible sport, that’s why we want the energy–because it catches fire—and I’m wondering if there’s anything we can do with that context, any way to draw analogy of it so as to lower the bar and associate it with mistakes. It’s a physics based reality that mistakes happen and … be able to hear that. So any thoughts on context in providing the realities associated with human error and other forces that cause mistakes and getting the facts out there almost lessening the demoninator.”
Translation: How can we lower the bar and make it okay that we blow people up sometimes?
UPDATE: Let’s not lower the bar. Let’s raise the bar. FACTs about clean energy. Spread the word.
UPDATE: The Coast Guard is now saying there have been no confirmed deaths.
The 11 injured were airlifted to hospital in Louisiana. At least four are said to be in critical condition with severe third-degree burns, according to reports.
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Two deaths reported so far.
This is a reminder to avoid eating seafood from the Gulf. The BP disaster made that pretty clear months ago.
I would say that Michael J. Basile thought lowering the bar was a good idea, so they just went ahead and did it. Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure no football coach ever spoke of lowering the bar right before his team took the field.
“Because football is a full contact sport, and players get hurt, we need to get the fans used to this fact. So, first thing we do is remove all padding, mouthguards, and what the hell, helmets. Maybe if enough players get hurt, the public will get used to it, and we’ll spend less money on safety gear.”
So on target! Thanks!
I don’t know what Michael J. Basile was smoking, but, lowering the bar for safety in oil & gas related industry is NOT acceptable to the public, especially with many energy companies having record profits, & in light of improving technology.
I wonder what all those injured workers and their families think about the industry lowering the bar.
Petroleum in it’s fuel form is VERY combustible. Otherwise your transportation sources wouldn’t work as well as they do. It is a contact business, if you want to use that term. In all aspects of the business safety, environmental responsibility, and costs are the three major concerns. Each of which can have serious impact on everything in our lives when it doesn’t go as designed.
We are praying for the families & thankfully working storm relief this holiday. What is everyone else doing?
I’m working to bring more accountability and oversight to the oil & gas industry and to move us toward clean energy so we won’t have to pray for families who lose their loved ones to this combustible industry.