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OCS-Related Incidents -- Offshore Energy and Minerals Management

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 Content:
    Melinda Mayes

 Pagemasters:
    OMM Web Team

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  Gulf of Mexico Region

Collisions – 2004 (22 Total)

10-JAN-2004– BP American Production Company

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Development/Production

Lease:

00130

Event(s):

Collision

Area:

Grand Isle (GI)

Operation:

Motor Vessel

Block:

41

Cause:

Human Error

Rig/Platform:

E

Water Depth:

85  feet

Remarks: A 140' supply boat hit the platform (NW corner area). Initial observations showed some structural damage to diagonal and horizontal members, a bell guide, walkways and hand rails. There were no injuries reported on the vessel and the platform was unmanned at the time of the incident. There was no pollution as a result of the incident.


14-JAN-2004 – Shell Deepwater Development Inc.

MMS Investigation Report:

 None

Activity:

 Development/Production

Lease:

 G15879

Event(s):

Collision/Pollution

Area:

Garden Banks (GB)

Operation:

Workover

Block:

341

Cause:

Human Error

Rig/Platform:

Noble Jim Thompson

Water Depth:

2011 feet

Remarks: While moving onto location, the semi-submersible drilling rig, Noble Jim Thompson damaged the umbilical cord, Segment. No.14170 departing Shell's Habanero well No. 1. The drilling rig was positioning anchors when the eighth of nine anchors came into contact with umbilical cord damaging the hydraulic flying lead and two electric flying leads. Hydraulic fluid -10 bbls, methanol – 3 bbls, and corrosion – 0.2 bbls, inhibitor were released as a result of the incident.


02-MAR-2004 – Forest Oil Corporation

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Development/Production

Lease:

G05293

Event(s):

Collision

Area:

West Cameron (WC)

Operation:

Production

Block:

226

Cause:

Human Error

Rig/Platform:

B No. 2

Water Depth:

61 feet

Remarks: The vessel owned by Forest Oil collided with the B No. 2 caisson. There was significant damage to the riser of the caisson as well as damage to the vessel. No injuries or pollution was reported.


 

22-MAR-2004 – Union Oil Company of California

(also listed as Injury)

 

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Production

Lease:

G17753

Event(s):

Collision/ Injury (2)

Area:

West Cameron (WC)

Operation:

Production

Block:

41

Cause:

Unknown

Rig/Platform:

2

Water Depth:

31 feet

Remarks: A marine vessel Jacqueline collided with the WC-41 Spar No. 2 free-standing caisson. There were a total of five people onboard the vessel, one deck hand required three stitches on his right cheek and the other received minor cuts on his foot. The boat received extensive damage to the bow. The caisson was leaning approximately 10 to 20 degrees. The USCG will be the lead agency in this investigation. There were injuries but no pollution was reported.


27-MAR-2004 – Devon Louisiana Corporation

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Other/Plug and Abandonment

Lease:

G15761

Event(s):

Collision

Area:

Galveston (GA)

Operation:

Motor Vessel

Block:

393

Cause:

Other/Mechanical Delay of Controls

Rig/Platform:

C-Valve

Water Depth:

95  feet

Remarks: In preparation to begin Plugging and Abandoning operations, the Jack-Up, a 200 Class vessel, had tagged the seafloor with its legs and was moving in position adjacent to the GA 393 "C" platform. When the vessel was very near the platform, the captain placed the vessel's controls in reverse to maneuver the vessel, and the controls did not immediately respond. As a result of this lag in control response time, the vessel continued to move forward and came into contact with the platform. The intermediate landing, along with its handrail, was bent as a result of the vessel coming into contact with the platform. The crane on the vessel received very slight damage. All of the wells were shut-in, and no pollution or injuries occurred as a result of this incident.


29-MAR-2004 – Walter Oil & Gas Corporation

MMS Investigation Report:

Completed

Activity:

Motor vessel

Lease:

G12037

Event(s):

Collision

Area:

South Timbalier (ST)

Operation:

Production

Block:

260

Cause:

Unknown

Rig/Platform:

A

Water Depth:

310 feet

Remarks: An unknown marine vessel struck ST-260-A platform. The north leg of the platform shows a scrape 15 feet above the water line. The crane pedestal was broken and various loose items were strewn across the platform. Two of the main structural members had visual buckling with several structural cross members with broken welds. Some facility piping support brackets were bent. At the time of the collision, it was reported that the fog horn and navigational lights were working. No pollution or injuries were reported.


26-MAY-2004 – Walter Oil & Gas Corporation

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Development/Production

Lease:

G18121

Event(s):

Collision

Area:

Sabine Pass (SA)

Operation:

Motor Vessel

Block:

6

Cause:

Human Error

Rig/Platform:

A

Water Depth:

38 feet

Remarks: The platform was struck on the southwest side by a barge being towed by a vessel. The structure sustained a significant amount of damage (approximately $250,000). The weather at the time of the incident was clear. There were no injuries or pollution as a result of the collision.


15-JUL-2004 – Arena Energy, LLC.

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Production

Lease:

00796

Event(s):

Collision

Area:

Eugene Island (EI)

Operation:

Production

Block:

100

Cause:

Weather related

Rig/Platform:

D-QTR

Water Depth:

23  feet

Remarks: A 3 legged jack-up boat, owned by Global Industries, was repositioning and lost control and scraped along the side of the D platform. The vessel was unable to compensate for the current and wind conditions during the repositioning maneuver. Above water damage to the platform was minimal, consisting of damage to an out of service vent line beneath the walkway, an electrical cable beneath the walkway, several pipe support braces, and the stairwell on the NE corner of the D Platform. An under water inspection revealed several dents on the NE leg and a scrap on adjacent diagonals non destructive evaluation of the nearby welds indicated no addition problems. There were no injuries or pollution as a result of this event.


17-JUL-2004 – Forest Oil Corporation

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Development/Production

Lease:

G01998

Event(s):

Collision

Area:

West Cameron (WC)

Operation:

Motor Vessel

Block:

172

Cause:

Human Factor

Rig/Platform:

D

Water Depth:

49 feet

Remarks: An unknown large ship hit Forest's WC 172D platform and split open one of the 30-inch legs and incurred other damage. The platform was shut-in after the collision. The platform was inspected and damage was found on the southeast jacket leg, damage to bracing at elevation +12, and damage to a 10-3/4 inch diagonal knee brace from the cellar deck level to the main deck level. The platform was unmanned at the time of the event and there were no injuries or pollution due to the collision.


17-JUL-2004 – Forest Oil Corporation

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Development/Production

Lease:

00548

Event(s):

Collision

Area:

Vermillion (VR)

Operation:

Motor Vessel

Block:

35

Cause:

Human Factor

Rig/Platform:

1

Water Depth:

30 feet

Remarks: A vessel struck Forest's Oil VR 35 No.1 platform. Damage was minor to the facility. There were no pollution or known injuries.


20-JUL-2004 – El Paso Natural Gas Company

MMS Investigation Report:

Completed

Activity:

Production

Lease:

G12951

Event(s):

Collision

Area:

Ship Shoal (SS)

Operation:

Motor vessel

Block:

227

Cause:

Human Error

Rig/Platform:

A

Water Depth:

100 feet

Remarks: A motor vessel was towing a barge, which was being utilized to transport two platform packages when it collided with El Paso’s Ship Shoal, Block 227, A Platform. It is believed that unexpected currents pushed the towed barge into the platform. The collision caused damage to the platform and the two platform packages on the barge. The incident occurred at approximately 1815 hours, in a clear condition – thus visibility and/or navigational lights were not an issue. The estimated damage to the barge cargo is 2 million dollars. The tug did not sustain any damage. A single well that was flowing on the platform at the time of the collision shut itself in on impact. Estimated damage to the platform was about $5,000,000 and consisted of the heliport, stair ways, handrails, grating, solar panels, and structural members. There were no fatalities, injuries or pollution as a result of this event.


22-AUG-2004 – LLOG Exploration Offshore, Inc.

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Drilling/Exploration

Lease:

G24782

Event(s):

Collision

Area:

West Cameron (WC)

Operation:

Motor vessel

Block:

625

Cause:

Equipment Failure

Rig/Platform:

Diamond Ocean Saratoga

Water Depth:

340  feet

Remarks: While preparing to assist in towing the rig, an anchor boat was approximately 200 feet off of the bow from the Diamond Ocean Saratoga paying out tow wire when both of the generators on the boat tripped off line. The boats CP control system automatic fail safe function caused the props to reverse pitch. As the boat was so close to the rig and before the captain could react and put the controls in the neutral position the boat struck the port sponson directly on the bow at approximately 10 knots. The sponson was crushed in approximately 30 percent of its diameter. The upper structural braces were bent and the lower support frame was pulled away from the top of the hull tearing a hole approximately 2-inch in diameter into the top of the pontoon above the No.1 ballast tank. The cost of the damage is estimated at $900,000. There were no fatalities, injuries or pollution as a result of this event.


26-AUG-2004 – Shell Offshore Inc.

MMS Investigation Report:

Completed

Activity:

Anchor Contact with Well Head

Lease:

G15565

Event(s):

Collision

Area:

Green Canyon (GC)

Operation:

Drilling/Exploration

Block:

248

Cause:

Human Error

Rig/Platform:

Noble Max Smith

Water Depth:

2,630  feet

Remarks: During the process of moving off of location after completing operations for Glider Subsea Well No. 3, the drilling rig Noble Max Smith anchor chain impacted the No. 3 subsea wellhead as well as the electro/hydraulic umbilical. The anchor handling vessel had pulled the anchor off bottom and recovery of the wire/chain was in process. The host facility, tension leg platform “Brutus”, was in the process of unloading subsea well No. 3. Brutus personnel observed a loss of electric communication with subesea well No. 3 as well as a loss of hydraulic control to subsea wells 3 and 4. A remotely operated vehicle was lunched and confirmed damage to the umbilical sled, trees, flying leads, and jumper on Glider No. 3 well. Shell reported that the subsea flowline was in tact and there were no hydrocarbon release. The estimated damage was $2,400,000 and there were no injuries associated with the incident.


21-OCT-2004 – Noble Energy, Inc.

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Development/Production

Lease:

G05693

Event(s):

Collision

Area:

Main Pass (MP)

Operation:

Motor Vessel

Block:

68

Cause:

Human Error

Rig/Platform:

1-A

Water Depth:

30  feet

Remarks: A barge being pushed by a tug boat collided into the A-1 Well Caisson. The well was shut in at the time of the collision. It was also a no flow well. There was damage to the 24-inch drive pipe. There were no pollution or known injuries.


05-NOV-2004 – EOG Resources, Inc.

(also listed as Fire)

 

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Production

Lease:

G08151

Event(s):

Collision/Fire

Area:

High Island (HI)

Operation:

Motor vessel

Block:

207

Cause:

Unknown

Rig/Platform:

A

Water Depth:

53 feet

Remarks: A vessel collided with the A platform causing a fire. The platform was unmanned. There was significant fire damage to the southern end of the platform. USCG is investigating. There was no pollution and no injuries were associated with this incident.


08-NOV-2004 – ChevronTexco Corporation

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Production

Lease:

G01634

Event(s):

Collision

Area:

Main Pass (MP)

Operation:

Motor Vessel

Block:

144

Cause:

Human Error

Rig/Platform:

A

Water Depth:

207  feet

Remarks: An unknown vessel collided into MP 144 A Platform. The vessel hit the structure breaking off two 18" cross members on the S/SW side of the platform. There was also damage to two others members; they were bent at the tree at a 30 degree angle. The operator sent divers down to inspect the platform and to check for sunken vessel when the weather cleared. At the time the collision occurred, the fog horns or navigational lights were not working. There was no pollution and no injuries as a result of this incident.


10-NOV-2004 – W & T Offshore, Inc.

MMS Investigation Report:

Completed

Activity:

Production

Lease:

G13938

Event(s):

Collision

Area:

South Timbalier (ST)

Operation:

Production

Block:

229

Cause:

Human Error

Rig/Platform:

A

Water Depth:

200  feet

Remarks:  A 165 foot crew boat collided with the A Platform. Navigational aids lights were flashing at the time of the collision and the platform lights were illuminated. The platform had minor damage. Estimated damage was $30,000. The platform had 6 slots for wells and one subsea well that was tied back to the structure. The incoming pipeline and umbilical cord of the subsea well were slightly damaged but were not leaking.


01-DEC-2004 – Stone Energy Corporation

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Production

Lease:

00301

Event(s):

Collision

Area:

West Cameron (WC)

Operation:

Motor Vessel

Block:

56

Cause:

Human Error

Rig/Platform:

Caisson #15

Water Depth:

34  feet

Remarks: While the operator was making inspection rounds in the field by boat, it was discovered that the structure had been hit by a unknown motor vessel. The platform remained on line after the strike, but was shut-in after the incident was discovered. The structure sustained significant damage and remained shut-in until all repairs were completed. There wasno pollution and no injuries as a result of this incident.


 

15-DEC-2004 – Nexen Petroleum USA, Inc.

(also listed under Injury)

 

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Production

Lease:

00560

Event(s):

Collision/ Injury (4)

Area:

Vermillion (VR)

Operation:

Production

Block:

67

Cause:

Equipment Failure

Rig/Platform:

A

Water Depth:

26  feet

Remarks: A marine vessel collided with the leg of platform A and caused a significant amount of damage. There was no pollution as a result of this incident, but Nexen sent four personnel to the hospital to be checked out.


16-DEC-2004 – Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

MMS Investigation Report:

none

Activity:

Development/Production

Lease:

G01524

Event(s):

Collision

Area:

Ship Shoal (SS)

Operation:

Motor Vessel

Block:

216

Cause:

Human Error

Equipment Failure

Rig/Platform:

4

Water Depth:

107  feet

Remarks: A marine vessel struck the Anadarko caisson. The vessel sustained damage to the port side. The caisson's upper structure was leaning, although the well itself was relatively undamaged. The vessel’s captain stated that the caisson's navigational aids were not working at the time of the collision. There was no pollution and no injuries as a result of this incident.


21-DEC-2004 – BP America Production Company

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

 Development/Production

Lease:

00300

Event(s):

Collision

Area:

West Delta (WD)

Operation:

Motor Vessel

Block:

70

Cause:

Human Error/Weather Related

Rig/Platform:

N

Water Depth:

 138  feet

Remarks: A lift boat struck the unmanned and shut-in WD 70 N platform on the east side. The platform's foghorn and lights were found to be operating properly. The east side boat landing and second leg on the S.E. side of the boat bumper was damaged. Damage to the platform was estimated at approximately $100,000. The lift boat Captain gave "poor visibility" as a contributing cause of the collision. There was no pollution or injuries as a result of this incident.


29-DEC-2004 – Apache Corporation

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Development/Production

Lease:

G02923

Event(s):

Collision

Area:

Ship Shoal (SS)

Operation:

Motor Vessel

Block:

291

Cause:

Human Error

Rig/Platform:

B

Water Depth:

240  feet

Remarks: A marine vessel was heading off Port Fouchon when it struck Apache's Platform B, in Ship Shoal Block 291. The vessels helmsman turned on the vessel’s interior light, temporarily, which caused forward visibility to become greatly reduced. The helmsman did not see the platform soon enough to avoid impact. The platform sustained only very minor damage. There were no injuries, fatalities or pollution involved in the accident.


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