15-Mar-1998 - Enserch Exploration, Inc.

Remarks: Welding operations were in progress to increase the capacity of the drip pan below the rotary table by raising the lip on the existing drip pan. Welding slag ignited a rag, resulting in a small fire that caused minor damage to an out-of-service wiring harness. The fire was extinguished immediately and there were no injuries or pollution.

Remarks: Gas fumes contacted a flaming torch. The gas being used to operate a starter and the exhausted fumes were not piped to a safe area.

Remarks: The probable cause of the fire was that gas residue at the controller flashed when the sparks made contact.

Remarks: Sixteen (16) gauge wiring, one main motor contractor, and two 15 amp/600 vac heater fuses were burned when 480 volts were inadvertently back-fed through the 32-volt heater coil contact and wiring. The 480 volts hit the 32 volt when a motor starter was manually closed. There were no injuries or pollution.

Remarks: The drilling rig Rowan Alaska No.1 generator caught fire as a result of a winding failure. The fire was extinguished immediately. Estimated damage was $10,000. There were no injuries and no pollution.

Remarks: A fire occurred during welding operations on the platform. Sparks from the welding activity ignited gas from a leaking packing gland. A welding crew noticed the fire and the fire watch extinguished the fire immediately.

Remarks: A plugged stack arrestor caused a back draft, forcing the flame in the firing chamber out of the flame arrestor. A lock nut on the burner air adjusting wheel was loose and apparently the air intake wheel vibrated closed. This caused an improper mixing of air and fuel, thus producing soot that plugged the stack arrestor.

Remarks: An internal fire in the generator exhaust occurred because of the failure of the Kenco oil float level controller.

Remarks: A small fire occurred on the exhaust of the No. 1 pipeline pump because of oil spraying from a small crack on a stainless steel line on the No. 2 pipeline pump. Heat from the exhaust ignited the oil-soaked insulation. The fire was extinguished immediately with one portable dry chemical extinguisher. Damage was approximately $210. There were no injuries or pollution.

Remarks: Hot refined oil from the No. 4 engine base came in contact with surfaces on the No. 2 engine turbocharger and exhaust system, which were operating at temperatures that exceeded the flash point of the refined oil.

Remarks: The fire came from a leaking control line. The slag created from the welding of the drive pipe on the drill deck fell to the production deck. There were no tarps in place to isolate the production deck, but the distance between the welding and the control line was greater than 35 feet.

Remarks: The probable cause of the fire was the WEMCO's blanket gas migrating past worn-out bushings around a rotating shaft and this same gas igniting because of an electrical short. After the fire an investigation turned up multiple shorts in the wiring of the WEMCO unit. Signs of arcing were found on the Agitator No. 3 motor. When the SCADA electrician, operations supervisor and day gauger changed out a motor on the No. 2 Agitator, there was arcing in two different places. Sparks shot from the electrical tape on the wires that were taped together inside the junction box, which was open, and also from the top of the motor. A wire that was on the No. 2 Agitator motor was bare in spots and some strands were broken. All of this wire was inside the conduit.

Remarks: An investigation revealed that the insulation blanket had been soaked with oil. The high temperature at the outer shell of the exhaust collector ignited the oil on the blanket. Upon further investigation, the source of the oil was determined to have come from a 3/8" stainless steel seal oil supply line. The stainless steel line is approximately 1-1/2" long with Parker tubing fittings on each end. The line had a slight bend in it and a crack was discovered in the area of the bend. During normal operation of the compressor this line maintains a pressure of approximately 1,300 psi. Compressor vibration, along with the stress the bend was exerting on the tubing line, may have caused the line to crack.

Remarks: A tarp caught fire and burned some gauges as well as a horn.

Remarks: Holes in the exhaust system allowed direct heat and possibly some hydrocarbons to reach the insulation covering the exhaust. The contributing causes of the fire were the corrosive gases and particles being expelled in the exhaust as well as age and rust on the piping. These items created the holes in the exhaust system.

Remarks: The cause of the fire was a clutch failure possibly because of magnetic pickups and sensors that did not allow the clutch to fully engage. This partial engagement caused excessive heat to build up because of slipping, causing the rubber and other material in the pneumatic clutch assembly to ignite and burn.

Remarks: A trash basket on the lift boat, Gulf Island III, caught fire. Construction crew used water to extinguish the fire, which lasted 2 minutes and resulted in no damage.

Remarks: Hydrogen gas accumulation in the mud-logging unit wall cavities and electrical installations because of a system leak or leaks, resulting in ignition from an electrical source in the unit. Inadequate written procedure for leak detection contributed to the resulting fire and explosion. There was no ambient air gas detection system installed in the unit, which would have detected a leak. There was no flow-sensing device that could have detected a leak and shut in the gas at the bottle. There was no flame failure shutoff device on the individual FID or THA instruments. Wall and ceiling panels had unsealed penetrations and the panel edges were not sealed airtight. All of this contributed to allowing permeation with the hydrogen gas. Electrical boxes became saturated with hydrogen gas because of open enclosures. The electrical classification was non-explosive, since the mud-logging unit was internally protected from an external contamination of a combustible atmosphere by a positive pressure purge system bringing clean air into the unit from a safe area. The positive air purge system did not protect against internal releases of combustible gases. The positive pressure air purge system contributed to the buildup of hydrogen gas in the areas of permeation and saturation by not allowing air flow to sweep the areas and dissipate the gas. The positive air purge system did not include a combustible gas detection system. The electrical installation within the mud-logging unit was not classified weatherproof or explosion-proof, because it was installed in a positively purged building. Because of this, electrical boxes were allowed to become saturated with hydrogen gas to the point where ignition was allowed to take place. Ignition of the hydrogen gas is believed to have occurred due to the making or breaking of an electrical contact or switch or because of a hot electrical connection. The full bottle of hydrogen gas that continued to flow into the mud-logging unit supported the continuing fire.

Remarks: Pipeline Pump A ignited and caught on fire. The fire was extinguished with 30 lbs of dry chemical. The fire kept re-igniting and was cooled down with water. The cause was the failure of the Pipeline Pump A motor cooler, which was then replaced.

Remarks: The slag and sparks were hotter than the maximum heat tolerance of the tarp. The exceptionally hot and dry weather conditions contributed to the ignition. In addition, the tarp was new and not watered down. It appears to have been windy because the sump and tarp were located 40 feet below and 20 feet away from the area where they were welding.

Remarks: The oil turbocharger bearing lubrication line broke and leaked oil onto the exterior of the turbocharger and the oil ignited. Vibration of the compressor caused the lubrication line to break.

Remarks: The probable cause of the accident was the breakdown of the insulating compound used on the generator's armature.

Remarks: During heavy thunderstorms a diesel generator began surging. The operator went to start a gas generator and during the startup a flash fire occurred. This resulted in the operator receiving 1^st degree burns. The probable cause of the accident was a design defect in the control circuit that would allow the starter transformer to remain engaged indefinitely if a current-sensing relay was not satisfied. A contributing cause of the accident was the wrong setting being used on a current-sensing relay. This relay was in place to keep the starter transformer engaged until the motor current fell below the relay setting. This relay was set below the normal current rate; thus, it never released the transformer.

Remarks: During heavy thunderstorms a diesel generator began surging. The operator went to start the gas generator, and during startup a flash fire occurred and caused 1^st degree burns to the operator.

Remarks: During welding on a heliport, slag fell in back of the protective tarps and ignited gas escaping from a gas fuel line through a loose connection. The fire was extinguished by the fire watch. The fire was an 8-inch high flame and was put out with a 20-lb hand held unit.

Remarks: Lightning struck the top of the dry oil tank and a fire ignited. The fire was quickly extinguished with a 150 lb. Ansul wheel unit. A subsequent investigation revealed a pressure/vacuum relief valve on top of the tank was leaking gas to the atmosphere. The valve was repaired. The company sent out a Safety Alert to equip all atmospheric vessels and tanks with a blanket gas system and make sure they are grounded.

Remarks: An upset in the heater treater caused a shutdown of the low-pressure system, which caused the compressor to backfire and shutdown. Excess fuel flame extending out of the compressor exhaust was extinguished immediately. There were no injuries, no pollution, and no damage to the compressor.

Remarks: The Kenco engine oil level controller apparently failed to close after automatically adding oil to the engine crankcase. As the level of oil increased in the crankcase, the PCV valve began pulling oil into the engine air intake. Since all of this excess oil could not be combusted in the cylinder, it flowed out into the exhaust piping, continued to absorb heat, and ignited.

Remarks: Heat tape on the control valve overheated or electrically shorted, igniting the fire. Gas escaping from the utility gas scrubber provided a continuous fuel source. The bottom drain on the gas scrubber was not fully closed, allowing a small and continuos flow of gas to feed the fire.

Remarks: Insufficient torquing of the nuts on the flanges to ensure the seal ring is properly compressed.

Remarks: A loose exhaust bypass valve breather mount caused a spark igniting the escaping gas. The bolt holes on the breather were wallowed out, probably due to time and vibration.

Remarks: A small building (paint locker) on the top deck containing paint and thinner caught fire from spontaneous combustion. The fire was extinguished immediately with one dry chemical unit. No major damage, no injuries, and no pollution.

Remarks: A pipeline pump PAX-6040-B lubrication oil seal failed, resulting in a loss of lubricating oil and excessive temperature due to friction, causing the fire.

Remarks: During welding in the production area, a piece of hot slag fell on a 3/8-inch piece of vinyl tubing containing supply gas, causing a fire. The gas was shut off and the flame was extinguished with 30-lb Ansul unit.

Remarks: A generator burned up and the crew immediately extinguished the fire. No injuries and no other damage done.

Remarks: A construction crew was in the process of cutting grating to install a 3" x 3" angle iron support for tubing trays. Burning slag apparently migrated to the IP separator PSV pilot vent, resulting in a small fire, although the operator had implemented the required precautions prior to initiating the hot work. The small flame was extinguished immediately by the fire watch with one 30-lb. dry chemical extinguisher. There were no injuries, no pollution, and no equipment damage.

Remarks: A minor fire occurred in the rig mud room. An Ensco roustabout observed smoke exiting the blower vent on the traction motor of the mud pump. The cause of the fire was a leak in the seal between the motor and drive train, which allowed oil to enter the motor case. The fire was extinguished immediately with one CO₂ unit. There were no injuries and no pollution. Final report.

Remarks: A small fire on EMD No. 1 was caused by oil leaking from a damaged gasket on the exhaust piping. The heat from the exhaust ignited the oil. The motorman extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher.

Remarks: Oil leak on the lubricator line dripped oil onto the exhaust and it flashed. The fire lasted only a few minutes and damage was under $500.

Remarks: Upon the start of a diesel-powered generator, a fire developed, which was extinguished using a 30-lb. dry chemical extinguisher. Damage was confined to the internal part of the generator. There was no other damage.

Remarks: While work was being done on the cellar deck, smoke was observed coming out of a rental welding machine not in use. Workers lifted the side panel up and noticed the wiring harness on fire. A short in the wiring is suspected as being the cause of the fire.

Remarks: A fire was started by slag from a welding operation falling to a lower deck and igniting vapors exiting a tank vent.

Remarks: Filter material had been left on top of the solar generator. When the generator was started the temperature built up and ignited the filter material. The fire was extinguished immediately. Damage to the compressor was minor. There were no injuries or pollution reported.

Remarks: High winds.

Remarks: A contract employee did not communicate his intentions or follow correct welding and burning procedures. He did not request a permit to work sheet from the on-site supervisor or sufficiently inspect the welding area to ensure that the area did not contain flammable material.

Remarks: A small fire occurred on WD 96-R when hot slag from welding operations on the subcellar deck (+35 level) landed on and melted through the plastic cover on the Fisher 2100 Level Safety High switch on the sump caisson. The instrument gas venting from the switch was ignited, resulting in a small fire approximately 1/2" in height.

Remarks: The fire was caused by a lack of prestartup procedure and occasional checks of the compressor components. A contributing factor was the lack of a prestartup procedure review between the operator and the mechanic.

Remarks: Welding was being conducted on the Dolphin Platform deck at the +10 ft level. The welder cut into the 72" caisson under the Dolphin Platform, where gas had accumulated inside the caisson. A small fire started. It self-extinguished immediately. The operator will use a gas sniffer in the future.

Remarks: The weather conditions during the repair required workers use a tarp. The fire resulted from their not removing the tarp from the compressor upon completion.

Remarks: The female end of the compressor interconnect shaft failed under load at rated speed. The resulting imbalance caused the broken shaft to oscillate, striking the retractable tunnel which, in turn, struck the lube oil supply connection to the compressor, dislodging it and allowing turbine oil to spray into the building. The oil contacted the engine exhaust and ignited, resulting in an open fire.

Remarks: A Solar Centaur engine exhaust collector caught on fire. An operator's representative was in the process of starting the engine when he observed a small flame on the engine. He shut the engine down and extinguished the fire with a 30-lb. chemical handheld unit. The operator is searching for different types of gasket and sealing material for future use.

Remarks: Spraying of oil on a hot turbo caused a flash fire because of engine temperature. The fire was immediately extinguished. There were no injuries or pollution reported. Damage was estimated at under $100.

Remarks: A waste oil tank from another platform in the area was brought onboard and was hoisted above the slop oil tank by the platform crane. The drain valve on the waste oil tank had a nipple with a ninety-degree elbow pointing down (20' approx.), which was stationed directly over the opening of the slop oil tank. The waste oil tank emptied into the slop oil tank, through the grated deck, and onto the roof of the generator building below. From the roof, it moved onto a short section of generator engine exhaust that was not insulated, which then flashed. An electrician working nearby saw the fire and notified the production operator, who then put the fire out. There were no injuries, no pollution, and no damages.

Remarks: A 30" gas pipeline from WD 61 to shore ruptured on 12/6/98 and subsequently caught fire. The rupture occurred 2.5 miles from shore (state waters). Tennessee Gas reported that divers investigated the ruptured pipe and found that the line was 80 feet apart. Cause of the incident is unknown. On 12/14/98, Tennessee Gas informed MMS that the 80-foot pipeline section could not be found.

Remarks: The probable cause of this incident was the loose connection on the line side of the feeder breaker for the glycol heater. This connection may have not been sufficiently tightened during installation.

Remarks: There was a small fire at the base of the glycol reboiler. It was extinguished with water a few minutes after the fire was detected. The reflux coils in the reboiler had a leak that allowed condensate-rich glycol and gas into the reboiler. The still column had a leak also. The still column and the reflux coil were replaced, and a new reboiler unit was ordered.

Remarks: The probable cause of this fire was corrosion and subsequent vibration, which caused a fitting to become loose at the main power connection cable to the motor lug. This condition caused excessive heating of the electrical connection, melting the rubber insulation boot over the connection.

Remarks: The lubricating oil bearing and lambryth seal failed on the exhaust end of the generator turbine, causing a fire. The platform operator was in the process of starting the generator when the incident occurred. The small fire was immediately extinguished with water by the platform operator and mechanic. No injuries, pollution, or damage were reported.

Remarks: Two Grasso personnel were in the process of returning satellite well No. 3 to production when a large cloud of gas was released and then ignited. The two Grasso personnel and one Tech-Air helicopter pilot and the helicopter were on the satellite during the incident. All three victims were recovered from the water and transported to a facility located on Eugene Island 120. The helicopter pilot and one Grasso employee were treated for injuries. Attempts to resuscitate the other Grasso employee were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead from apparent drowning. A nearby motor vessel extinguished the fire on the structure. The helicopter was determined to be airworthy and flown off the structure.

Remarks: A steel fitting on top of a hydraulic pump failed, spraying hydraulic oil onto the turbocharger, causing the fire. It is believed a manufacturer’s defect may have caused the fitting to wear prematurely, causing leakage and the subsequent combustion. Gravity and the location of engine exhaust in relation to the hydraulic oil leak saturated the engine exhaust, which contributed to the combustion.

Remarks: Newfield experienced a fire on the No. 2 compressor at WD 152-A. The source of the fire was a gas leak from a short tubing line run between the PSV and pilot for the PSV on the second stage of the No. 2 compressor. The ignition source is unknown. It was extinguished within 5 minutes. The platform cook injured the back of his hand when the lid of the life jacket box fell on his hand while he was mustering at the escape capsule.

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Last Updated:  01/14/04, 01:15 PM