U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region

Notice No. 110

March 24, 1983

Fire

In the course of running 9-inch casing, a welder on the rig floor started to cut a casing box thread protector out of a joint of casing lying in the V-door. The welder's torch ignited gas which was migrating from the bell nipple, causing a flash fire which injured a casing crew member who was filling the hole with mud. The annular BOP was closed, and the fire was extinguished with the rig wash down hose.

To prevent recurrence of this type of accident, the operator has strongly re-emphasized to drilling personnel those safety procedures which strictly forbid carrying on hot work in the vicinity of an open well. Additionally, it is recommended that gas sniffers be utilized to properly check hot work areas for combustible gases.

[signed] D.W. Solanas

Regional Supervisor

Offshore Operations Support