|
2011
Civil/Criminal Penalties
The goal of the
BOEMRE OCS Civil/Criminal Penalties Program is to assure safe and clean
operations on the OCS. Through the pursuit, assessment, and collection
of civil penalties and referrals for the consideration of criminal
penalties, the program is designed to encourage compliance with OCS
statutes and regulations.
2011 Civil/Criminal Penalties Summary
Penalties Paid through the 2nd Quarter of 2011
(1/1/2011 -
6/30/2011)
|
Operator Name
and Case No.
|
Violation
and
Date(s) |
Penalty Paid and
Date Paid |
Regulation(s) Violated
30 CFR) |
|
Merit Energy Company, LLC
(Gulf Coast
Operator, LLC)
G-2010-010 |
During a
BOEMRE inspection, it was discovered that a tubing plug was
set above the mud line. There were also several severely
corroded critical areas on the equipment and platform.
22-FEB-2010
- 22-FEB-2010
22-FEB-2010
- 22-FEB-2010 |
$70,000
2/25/11 |
250.801(e)
250.107 |
|
Fairways Offshore Exploration, Inc.
G-2010-015 |
A leak
occurred on the main hoist winch check valve plug due to
corrosion. In accordance with API RP 2D, critical components
were corroded and numerous hydraulic hoses and fittings were
not replaced as soon as practical.
18-MAY-2009–19-DEC-2009 |
$40,000
1/21/11 |
250.108 |
|
W&T Offshore, INC.
G-2010-019 |
During the
course of a BOEMRE investigation into a gas release and
platform shut-in incident, it was discovered that a
plumber's plug was installed for isolation of process
piping. Lessee failed to comply with company Lock Out/Tag
Out Procedures.
27-JAN-2010
- 06-FEB-2010 |
$180,000
1/19/11 |
250.107 |
|
Gryphon Exploration Corporation
(Wood Group
Production Services)
G-2010-021 |
During an
onsite inspection, BOEMRE inspectors discovered that a crane
was in operation without an operational boom angle indicator
to off load and load wireline equipment.
27-MAY-2011-27-MAY-2011 |
$5,000
5/13/11 |
250.108 |
|
Mariner Energy, Inc.
G-2010-023 |
During the
course of the BOEMRE inspection, the inspectors discovered
that the casing pressure had increased greater than 4900
pisg for 46 days which invalidated the departure approval
for sustained casing pressure of 4700 psig.
12-AUG-2009-18-JUL-2010 |
$460,000
3/30/11 |
|
|
GOM Shelf, LLC
(Island
Operators Co, Inc.)
G-2010-024 |
During the
course of a BOEMRE inspection, violations were discovered
throughout the facility. Violations included missing grating
on the boat landing (creating a open-hole hazard in the path
of an egress route); a ladder cage to the (+10') elevation
was discovered with angle iron which had broken loose (this
also creates a potential fall hazard in the event of
emergency egress to the boat landing), and several casing
valves on a gas well (which had a casing pressure of 1700
psi) had severely corroded grease fittings.
26-NOV-2009-01-AUG-2010 |
$35,000
2/24/11 |
250.107 |
|
Arena Offshore, LP
(Quality
Production Management)
G-2010-025 |
During the
course of a BOEMRE inspection, inspectors discovered that
two bridle isolation valves for the level safety low (LSL)
sensor on the oil storage tank were manually closed, which
placed the LSL in a bypassed out-of-service mode.
10-SEP-2010-10-SEP-2010 |
$15,000
4/4/11 |
250. 803(c) |
|
Merit Energy Company, LLC
G-2011-002 |
During the
course of an inspection, it was discovered that the purge
mechanical ventilation system for the Mud Logging Unit (MLU)
building, placed in a Class 1 Division 1 Hazardous Area, was
found switched to manual bypass. It was also discovered that
the fresh air intake for the MLU building was located within
the Class 1 Division 1 hazardous area.
26-AUG-2010-26-AUG-2010
24-AUG-2010-26-AUG-2010 |
$100,000
5/26/11 |
250.459
250.459 |
|
JX Nippon Oil Exploration (U.S.A.) Limited
G-2011-015 |
During the
course of a BOEMRE investigation,
it
was determined that Nippon did not perform the
decommissioning operations in a safe and workmanlike manner.
The operation involved the cutting of the tack welds that
attach the skid base of the wood and fiberglass constructed
office building to the platform deck structure. Hot slag
from the cutting operation ignited the construction
materials inside the walls of the building.
28-SEP-2010-28-SEP-2010 |
$25,000
5/19/11 |
250.107 |
|
Total Penalties Paid:
1/1/11 - 6/30/11
9 Cases:
$930,000 |
The following
acronyms are used in this table:
|
LSL |
Level
Safety Low |
|
MLU |
Mud Logging
Unit |
The purpose of
publishing the penalties summary is to provide information to the public
on violations of special concern in OCS operations and to provide an
additional incentive for safe and environmentally sound operations. |
