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OCS-Related Incidents -- Offshore Energy and Minerals Management

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   Pacific Region

Fires – 2005

08-Jan-2005 – Plains Exploration & Production Company

MMS Investigation Report:

Pending

Activity:

Development/Production

Lease:

P00240

Event(s):

Fire

Area:

6B

Operation:

Production

Block:

5164

Cause:

Equipment Failure

Rig/Platform:

/ Hillhouse

Water Depth:

190 feet

 

Remarks: The fire watch saw smoke coming from the exhaust stack on 1000 KW portable rental generator and a fire on top of the engine. A hose connecting to the crank case emissions absorber developed a rubbed pin hole leak and a small amount of oil had sprayed onto the hot intake manifold/turbocharger which ignited the fire. The operator shut down the engine and quenched the flames with a rag. Property damage was limited to a crank case emissions hose.

26-Jan-2005 – Plains Exploration & Production Company

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Development/Production

Lease:

P00315

Event(s):

Fire

Area:

6A

Operation:

Production

Block:

5585

Cause:

Equipment Failure

Rig/Platform:

/ Harvest

Water Depth:

675 feet

 

Remarks: Employees saw smoke coming from a slot between the rotor and pump of charge pump C. One of the employees shut off the pump. Afterwards, a flame was seen in the same area which was extinguished with a hand held fire extinguisher.

24-Feb-2005 – Exxon Mobil Corporation

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Development/Production

Lease:

P00182

Event(s):

Fire

Area:

6A

Operation:

Production

Block:

5277

Cause:

Other - unknown

Rig/Platform:

/ Heritage

Water Depth:

1,075 feet

 

Remarks: The platform experienced a small electrical arc in the low voltage switchgear. While closing several breakers, one of the breakers flashed and smoked. There were no injuries and damage to the switch was reported to be minor.

21-Mar-2005 – Plains Exploration & Production Company (PXP)

MMS Investigation Report:

None

Activity:

Development/Production

Lease:

P00450

Event(s):

Fire

Area:

SM

Operation:

Production

Block:

464

Cause:

Equipment Failure

Rig/Platform:

Hidalgo

Water Depth:

430 feet

 

Remarks: An apparent electrical short occurred to the electrical supply cord of the dynamic brake resister grid (DBRG). The DBRG is externally located on the top drive silicone control rectifier skid of Pool Rig #90. The rig mechanic alerted the driller to shut down the top drive when he noticed smoke. Sparks and flames were coming from the SCR unit. Fire extinguishers were used to put out the fire. No injuries occurred as a result of this incident.

5-Jun-2005 – Arguello Inc.

 

MMS Investigation Report:

Completed

Activity:

Development/Production

Lease:

P00450

Event(s):

Fire

Area:

SM

Operation:

Production

Block:

464

Cause:

Equipment Failure

Rig/Platform:

Hidalgo

Water Depth:

430 feet

 

Remarks:  Minerals Management Service was notified at 3:30 a.m. that an electrical fire occurred. The fire was contained with the power factor correction unit room located on the pipe deck. The fire detection system initiated a facility shut-down and the fire was manually extinguished.

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Last Updated: 07/15/08, 02:02 PM

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