BRKG COAST GUARD RESPONDING: NEW Oil Rig Explosion in Gulf of Mexico
- Thread starter mt4design
- Start date
mt4design
Has No Life - Lives on TB
http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=13089364
BREAKING NEWS
Oil rig explodes in Gulf of Mexico
Posted: Sep 02, 2010 8:19 AM Updated: Sep 02, 2010 8:22 AM
GRAND ISLE, LA (WAFB) - WWL-TV in New Orleans has confirmed the Coast Guard is responding to a rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico.
Dozens are reported injured.
According to the Coast Guard, it happened 80 miles south of Grand Isle.
Rescue choppers from New Orleans and Houston are responding.
The injured will be taken to hospitals in various coastal areas from Houston to the Louisiana/Mississippi border area.
BREAKING NEWS
Oil rig explodes in Gulf of Mexico
Posted: Sep 02, 2010 8:19 AM Updated: Sep 02, 2010 8:22 AM
GRAND ISLE, LA (WAFB) - WWL-TV in New Orleans has confirmed the Coast Guard is responding to a rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico.
Dozens are reported injured.
According to the Coast Guard, it happened 80 miles south of Grand Isle.
Rescue choppers from New Orleans and Houston are responding.
The injured will be taken to hospitals in various coastal areas from Houston to the Louisiana/Mississippi border area.
mt4design
Has No Life - Lives on TB
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/7183306.html
Coast Guard called to Gulf explosion
Associated Press
Sept. 2, 2010, 10:31AM
GRAND ISLE, La. — The Coast Guard is responding to an explosion involving an offshore petroleum structure in the Gulf of Mexico.
Petty Officer Casey Ranel says the blast was reported by a commercial helicopter company about 9:30 a.m. CDT Thursday. Seven helicopters, two airplanes and four boats are en route to the site, about 80 miles south of Vermilion Bay along the central Louisiana coast.
Ranel says it hasn't been determined whether the structure is a production platform or a drilling rig or whether workers were aboard. Ranel says smoke was reported but it is unclear whether the rig is still burning.
Coast Guard called to Gulf explosion
Associated Press
Sept. 2, 2010, 10:31AM
GRAND ISLE, La. — The Coast Guard is responding to an explosion involving an offshore petroleum structure in the Gulf of Mexico.
Petty Officer Casey Ranel says the blast was reported by a commercial helicopter company about 9:30 a.m. CDT Thursday. Seven helicopters, two airplanes and four boats are en route to the site, about 80 miles south of Vermilion Bay along the central Louisiana coast.
Ranel says it hasn't been determined whether the structure is a production platform or a drilling rig or whether workers were aboard. Ranel says smoke was reported but it is unclear whether the rig is still burning.
mt4design
Has No Life - Lives on TB
1 Missing After Rig Explosion In Gulf
Coast Guard Rescue Crews Respond
http://www.wdsu.com/r/24854300/detail.html
POSTED: 10:11 am CDT September 2, 2010
UPDATED: 10:31 am CDT September 2, 2010
[COMMENTS: 1 Missing After Rig Explosion In Gulf] Comments
NEW ORLEANS -- One person is missing after a rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico, about 80 miles south of Vermilion Bay, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
It happened around 9 a.m., and as of 10:15 a.m., the rig was still burning, the Coast Guard said. Rescue crews from New Orleans and Houston are responding.
Officials said there were 13 people aboard the rig, and all but one are accounted for.
Two helicopters from Houston and three from New Orleans are responding to the blast. Two other fixed-wing planes and two cutter ships are also responding, the Coast Guard said.
The rig is owned by Mariner Energy.
Stay with WDSU.com for the latest on this developing story.
Coast Guard Rescue Crews Respond
http://www.wdsu.com/r/24854300/detail.html
POSTED: 10:11 am CDT September 2, 2010
UPDATED: 10:31 am CDT September 2, 2010
[COMMENTS: 1 Missing After Rig Explosion In Gulf] Comments
NEW ORLEANS -- One person is missing after a rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico, about 80 miles south of Vermilion Bay, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
It happened around 9 a.m., and as of 10:15 a.m., the rig was still burning, the Coast Guard said. Rescue crews from New Orleans and Houston are responding.
Officials said there were 13 people aboard the rig, and all but one are accounted for.
Two helicopters from Houston and three from New Orleans are responding to the blast. Two other fixed-wing planes and two cutter ships are also responding, the Coast Guard said.
The rig is owned by Mariner Energy.
Stay with WDSU.com for the latest on this developing story.
mt4design
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Witness: Rig on fire, people in the water
http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=13089467
Posted: Sep 02, 2010 8:29 AM Updated: Sep 02, 2010 8:44 AM
GULF OF MEXICO (WLOX/AP) - The Coast Guard is responding to a oil rig fire south of Grand Isle. A worker near the scene told WLOX News that the rig is in the block known as "Vermilion 398," and that people are in the water.
The rig is located west of the Deepwater Horizon site.
Coast Guard Petty Officer Casey Ranel said the blast was reported by a commercial helicopter company about 9:30am. Seven helicopters, two airplanes and four boats are en route to the site, about 80 miles south of Vermilion Bay along the central Louisiana coast.
Ranel said it hasn't been determined whether the structure is a production platform or a drilling rig or whether workers were aboard. Ranel said smoke was reported but it is unclear whether the rig is still burning.
Copyright 2010 WLOX. All rights reserved.
http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=13089467
Posted: Sep 02, 2010 8:29 AM Updated: Sep 02, 2010 8:44 AM
GULF OF MEXICO (WLOX/AP) - The Coast Guard is responding to a oil rig fire south of Grand Isle. A worker near the scene told WLOX News that the rig is in the block known as "Vermilion 398," and that people are in the water.
The rig is located west of the Deepwater Horizon site.
Coast Guard Petty Officer Casey Ranel said the blast was reported by a commercial helicopter company about 9:30am. Seven helicopters, two airplanes and four boats are en route to the site, about 80 miles south of Vermilion Bay along the central Louisiana coast.
Ranel said it hasn't been determined whether the structure is a production platform or a drilling rig or whether workers were aboard. Ranel said smoke was reported but it is unclear whether the rig is still burning.
Copyright 2010 WLOX. All rights reserved.
LoupGarou
Ancient Fuzzball
Prayers sent up for all involved. And please dear G_d, keep this one from damaging the area any more.
Amen
_____
I find it more than just interesting that we seem to be having this much trouble with them all of a sudden. Is Cap and Trade back on the floor? And why is it that Iran's nuclear energy program can be moving forward and our's sits in limbo? Just wondering...
Loup
Amen
_____
I find it more than just interesting that we seem to be having this much trouble with them all of a sudden. Is Cap and Trade back on the floor? And why is it that Iran's nuclear energy program can be moving forward and our's sits in limbo? Just wondering...
Loup
mt4design
Has No Life - Lives on TB
exe, yeah, I hear you. I just read a report not directly related that Greenpeace stormed and occupied a rig in Greenland THIS MORNING.
After yesterday's craziness at the Discovery Channel, my imagination is active.
Interesting that a private chopper was close enough to report the explosion.
Mike
After yesterday's craziness at the Discovery Channel, my imagination is active.
Interesting that a private chopper was close enough to report the explosion.
Mike
mt4design
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Thank God. Thanks Mrs. Smith.
Private choppers ferry rig personnel and supplies to the rigs all the time so that isnt unusual. Glad they accounted for all 13 persons on board.
AzProtector
Veteran Member
florida panhandle
Inactive
Another Eco Terrorist?
Green Co.
Veteran Member
Production platform
Gulf Production Platform Burning off Louisiana Coast
An oil and gas facility owned by Mariner Energy off the coast of Louisiana was on fire Thursday, and the U.S. Coast Guard said it was working to rescue 13 workers.
The burning facility owned by Mariner Energy is located more than 90 miles south of Louisiana's Vermilion Bay.
"Thirteen out of 13 are accounted for and it's still burning," said a spokesman for the Eighth District Coast Guard Command Center in New Orleans.
In comments to CNBC Thursday, a spokesman for Mariner Energy said "it doesn't appear that there is any spill or sheen to be seen on the water" following the fire.
"The fire occurred away from the well...it wasn't involved in the area where they had oil producing wells," said Patrick Cassidy, a spokesman for Mariner. He added that the facility isn't a drilling rig, but rather a production facility.
The Coast Guard said rescue ships and helicopters were flying from New Orleans and Houston to the area.
The facility was located more than 90 miles south of Louisiana's Vermilion Bay.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/38973706
Gulf Production Platform Burning off Louisiana Coast
An oil and gas facility owned by Mariner Energy off the coast of Louisiana was on fire Thursday, and the U.S. Coast Guard said it was working to rescue 13 workers.
The burning facility owned by Mariner Energy is located more than 90 miles south of Louisiana's Vermilion Bay.
"Thirteen out of 13 are accounted for and it's still burning," said a spokesman for the Eighth District Coast Guard Command Center in New Orleans.
In comments to CNBC Thursday, a spokesman for Mariner Energy said "it doesn't appear that there is any spill or sheen to be seen on the water" following the fire.
"The fire occurred away from the well...it wasn't involved in the area where they had oil producing wells," said Patrick Cassidy, a spokesman for Mariner. He added that the facility isn't a drilling rig, but rather a production facility.
The Coast Guard said rescue ships and helicopters were flying from New Orleans and Houston to the area.
The facility was located more than 90 miles south of Louisiana's Vermilion Bay.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/38973706
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/11-missing-oil-rig-explosion-10444570
That smoke looks to black to be surface platform fire, almost appears to be oil, too early to call.
That smoke looks to black to be surface platform fire, almost appears to be oil, too early to call.
Usually Curious
Inactive
that makes sense if it is a production facility but that doesn't mean oil's leaking into the gulf.
Breeta
Veteran Member
That is video from the BP oil rig fire back in April.
Good catch Breeta, I pulled the link from another site, but hearing 11 survivors thought it was today's ... then I thought they were using old film footage to describe the new explosion. Quite frankly, it's all confusing in a Déjà vu milieu.
mt4design
Has No Life - Lives on TB
denfoote
Inactive
Thomas Paine
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Once is an accident/coincidence, twice is hostile as far as I am concerned. Kinda like the twin towers folks.The first plane could have been an accident but the second pretty much made it an attack.
mt4design
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Offshore platform explodes in Gulf of Mexico
Link
BY CURTIS MORGAN
cmorgan@MiamiHerald.com
An offshore platform in the Gulf of Mexico exploded on Thursday but company and federal records show it appears to be producing natural gas, not oil.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported that it accounted for all 13 people aboard the rig, which is west of BP's blown-out well but operates in much shallower water than the ill-fated Deepwater Horizon was drilling.
Quoting a Coast Guard officer, the New Orleans Times-Picayune identified the rig as Vermilion 380, a platform owned by Houston-based Mariner Energy. The company had not yet issued a statement on the accident and an employee reached at its headquarters referred questions to an executive.
According to a 2010 company financial statement, the rig has five wells and produced about 1.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas and liquid natural gas last year but was not currently pumping any oil -- though Mariner estimates the field does have petroleum reserves.
Company records and records from the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement -- formerly known as the Minerals Management Service -- show the platform was among hundreds of rigs damaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008.
The company's financial statement said it suspended drilling operations while conducting underwater structural repairs and reduced production until the facility was upgraded.
The Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, which exploded in April, killing 11 workers and triggering the worst oil spill in U.S. history, was a floating drilling ship operating in 5,000 feet of water.
The Vermilion platform, some 80 miles south of Louisiana's Vermilion Bay, is a permanent rig that federal records show operates in 340 feet of water.
It was not immediately clear what triggered the explosion,.
Coast Guard Cmdr. Cheri Ben-Iesau told The Associated Press that some rig workers were spotted in emergency flotation devices in the water around the rig. Only one injury was reported.
Seven Coast Guard helicopters, two airplanes and three cutters were dispatched to the scene from New Orleans, Houston and Mobile, Alabama, Ben-Iesau said. She said authorities do not know whether oil was leaking from the site.
mt4design
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Witness to platform explosion saw a 'bunch of smoke'
By the CNN Wire Staff
September 2, 2010 1:07 p.m. EDT
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/09/02/oil.platform.witness/
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Witness reports seeing smoke after the blast
* He says he's surprised by a second explosion so soon after the Deepwater Horizon incident
* The Deepwater Horizon exploded in April, killing 11 and causing a major oil spill
(CNN) -- A man who said he saw the oil platform blast in the Gulf of Mexico Thursday reported suddenly seeing "a bunch of smoke" coming up from the platform.
David Reed said he is a paramedic on board an oil rig about 14 miles from the site of the explosion and fire on an oil platform owned by Mariner Energy.
"We were up here in the radio room and all of a sudden we saw a whole bunch of smoke coming from the platform," he told CNN. "Shortly after, all radios started lighting up like a Christmas tree."
Reed sent a photo of the platform to CNN's iReport program, which lets anyone share photos, videos and information.
"The fact that this has happened again so soon after the Deepwater Horizon is surprising," he told CNN.
By the CNN Wire Staff
September 2, 2010 1:07 p.m. EDT
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/09/02/oil.platform.witness/
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* Witness reports seeing smoke after the blast
* He says he's surprised by a second explosion so soon after the Deepwater Horizon incident
* The Deepwater Horizon exploded in April, killing 11 and causing a major oil spill
(CNN) -- A man who said he saw the oil platform blast in the Gulf of Mexico Thursday reported suddenly seeing "a bunch of smoke" coming up from the platform.
David Reed said he is a paramedic on board an oil rig about 14 miles from the site of the explosion and fire on an oil platform owned by Mariner Energy.
"We were up here in the radio room and all of a sudden we saw a whole bunch of smoke coming from the platform," he told CNN. "Shortly after, all radios started lighting up like a Christmas tree."
Reed sent a photo of the platform to CNN's iReport program, which lets anyone share photos, videos and information.
"The fact that this has happened again so soon after the Deepwater Horizon is surprising," he told CNN.
Countrymouse
Country exile in the city
Well in "production" or not???
I'm hearing on the local (WSB radio) news that the well was "NOT" in production, which squares with the report above that drilling and production had been "suspended" at the time of the explosion.
As others have noticed, there seems to be some discrepancy as to whether the well 'normally' produces oil, natural gas, or both.
Now here's what I want to know---if the well had "drilling suspended", and wasn't even actively producing oill (or natural gas)--then HOW did it just suddenly explode?
Others have mentioned possible sabotage, but I wonder if something isn't 'messing' with pressures under the Gulf floor, causing some sort of anomaly or fluctuation with those--and if so, then wouldn't every rig in the Gulf possibly be at risk?
Offshore platform explodes in Gulf of Mexico
Link
BY CURTIS MORGAN
cmorgan@MiamiHerald.com
An offshore platform in the Gulf of Mexico exploded on Thursday but company and federal records show it appears to be producing natural gas, not oil.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported that it accounted for all 13 people aboard the rig, which is west of BP's blown-out well but operates in much shallower water than the ill-fated Deepwater Horizon was drilling.
According to a 2010 company financial statement, the rig has five wells and produced about 1.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas and liquid natural gas last year but was not currently pumping any oil -- though Mariner estimates the field does have petroleum reserves.
The company's financial statement said it suspended drilling operations while conducting underwater structural repairs and reduced production until the facility was upgraded.
The Vermilion platform, some 80 miles south of Louisiana's Vermilion Bay, is a permanent rig that federal records show operates in 340 feet of water.
Seven Coast Guard helicopters, two airplanes and three cutters were dispatched to the scene from New Orleans, Houston and Mobile, Alabama, Ben-Iesau said. She said authorities do not know whether oil was leaking from the site.
I'm hearing on the local (WSB radio) news that the well was "NOT" in production, which squares with the report above that drilling and production had been "suspended" at the time of the explosion.
As others have noticed, there seems to be some discrepancy as to whether the well 'normally' produces oil, natural gas, or both.
Now here's what I want to know---if the well had "drilling suspended", and wasn't even actively producing oill (or natural gas)--then HOW did it just suddenly explode?
Others have mentioned possible sabotage, but I wonder if something isn't 'messing' with pressures under the Gulf floor, causing some sort of anomaly or fluctuation with those--and if so, then wouldn't every rig in the Gulf possibly be at risk?
Sysman
Old Geek <:)=
Update from our local rag:
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/09/mile-long_oil_is_spreading_in.html
Oil spreads into Gulf after Vermillion Bay oil rig explosion off Louisiana
Published: Thursday, September 02, 2010, 3:55 PM Updated: Thursday, September 02, 2010, 3:55 PM
NEW ORLEANS, La. — Another oil rig exploded and caught fire today off the Louisiana coast, spreading a mile-long oil sheen in the Gulf of Mexico west of the site of BP's massive spill. All 13 crew members were rescued.
Coast Guard Petty Officer Bill Coklough said the sheen, about 100 feet wide, was spotted near the platform. Firefighting vessels were battling the flames.
The company that owns the rig, Houston-based Mariner Energy, did not know what caused the blast, which was reported by a helicopter flying over the area.
Crew members were found floating in the water, huddled together in survival outfits called "gumby suits."
"These guys had the presence of mind, used their training to get into those gumby suits before they entered the water. It speaks volumes to safety training and the importance of it because, beyond getting off the rig, there's all the hazards of the water such as hypothermia," Coast Guard spokesman Chief Petty Officer John Edwards said.
The crew was being flown to a hospital in Houma. Coast Guard Cmdr. Cheri Ben-Iesau said one person was injured, but the company said there were no injuries.
Seven Coast Guard helicopters, two airplanes and three cutters were dispatched to the scene.
The platform is in about 340 feet of water and about 100 miles south of Louisiana's Vermilion Bay. It's location is considered shallow water, much less than the approximately 5,000 feet where BP's well spewed oil and gas for three months after the April rig explosion.
Responding to any oil spill in shallow water would be much easier than in deep water, where crews depend on remote-operated vehicles access equipment on the sea floor.
The rig is a fixed platform that was in production at the time of the fire, according to a homeland security operational update obtained by The Associated Press.
The update said the platform was producing 58,800 gallons of oil and 900,000 cubic feet of gas per day. The platform can store 4,200 gallons of oil.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said Mariner Energy officials told him there were seven active production wells on the platform, and they were shut down shortly after the fire broke out.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said President Barack Obama was in a national security meeting at the time of the accident.
"We obviously have response assets ready for deployment should we receive reports of pollution in the water," Gibbs said.
The platform is about 200 miles west of BP's blown-out well. A company report said the well was drilled in the third quarter of 2008.
Federal authorities have cited Mariner Energy and related entities for 10 accidents in the Gulf of Mexico over the last four years, according to safety records from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement.
The accidents range from platform fires to pollution spills and a blowout, according to accident-investigation reports from the agency formerly known as the Minerals Management Service.
In 2007, welding sparks falling onto an oil storage tank caused a flash fire that slightly burned a contract worker. The Minerals Management Service issued a $35,000 fine.
Mariner Energy Inc. focuses on oil and gas exploration and production in the Gulf. In April, Apache Corp., another independent oil company, announced plans to buy Mariner in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $3.9 billion, including the assumption of about $1.2 billion of Mariner's debt. That deal is pending.
On Friday, BP was expected to begin the process of removing the cap and failed blowout preventer, another step toward completion of a relief well that would put a final seal on the well. The Deepwater Horizon exploded April 20, killing 11 people and setting off a three-month leak that totaled 206 million gallons of oil.
.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/09/mile-long_oil_is_spreading_in.html
Oil spreads into Gulf after Vermillion Bay oil rig explosion off Louisiana
Published: Thursday, September 02, 2010, 3:55 PM Updated: Thursday, September 02, 2010, 3:55 PM
NEW ORLEANS, La. — Another oil rig exploded and caught fire today off the Louisiana coast, spreading a mile-long oil sheen in the Gulf of Mexico west of the site of BP's massive spill. All 13 crew members were rescued.
Coast Guard Petty Officer Bill Coklough said the sheen, about 100 feet wide, was spotted near the platform. Firefighting vessels were battling the flames.
The company that owns the rig, Houston-based Mariner Energy, did not know what caused the blast, which was reported by a helicopter flying over the area.
Crew members were found floating in the water, huddled together in survival outfits called "gumby suits."
"These guys had the presence of mind, used their training to get into those gumby suits before they entered the water. It speaks volumes to safety training and the importance of it because, beyond getting off the rig, there's all the hazards of the water such as hypothermia," Coast Guard spokesman Chief Petty Officer John Edwards said.
The crew was being flown to a hospital in Houma. Coast Guard Cmdr. Cheri Ben-Iesau said one person was injured, but the company said there were no injuries.
Seven Coast Guard helicopters, two airplanes and three cutters were dispatched to the scene.
The platform is in about 340 feet of water and about 100 miles south of Louisiana's Vermilion Bay. It's location is considered shallow water, much less than the approximately 5,000 feet where BP's well spewed oil and gas for three months after the April rig explosion.
Responding to any oil spill in shallow water would be much easier than in deep water, where crews depend on remote-operated vehicles access equipment on the sea floor.
The rig is a fixed platform that was in production at the time of the fire, according to a homeland security operational update obtained by The Associated Press.
The update said the platform was producing 58,800 gallons of oil and 900,000 cubic feet of gas per day. The platform can store 4,200 gallons of oil.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said Mariner Energy officials told him there were seven active production wells on the platform, and they were shut down shortly after the fire broke out.
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said President Barack Obama was in a national security meeting at the time of the accident.
"We obviously have response assets ready for deployment should we receive reports of pollution in the water," Gibbs said.
The platform is about 200 miles west of BP's blown-out well. A company report said the well was drilled in the third quarter of 2008.
Federal authorities have cited Mariner Energy and related entities for 10 accidents in the Gulf of Mexico over the last four years, according to safety records from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement.
The accidents range from platform fires to pollution spills and a blowout, according to accident-investigation reports from the agency formerly known as the Minerals Management Service.
In 2007, welding sparks falling onto an oil storage tank caused a flash fire that slightly burned a contract worker. The Minerals Management Service issued a $35,000 fine.
Mariner Energy Inc. focuses on oil and gas exploration and production in the Gulf. In April, Apache Corp., another independent oil company, announced plans to buy Mariner in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $3.9 billion, including the assumption of about $1.2 billion of Mariner's debt. That deal is pending.
On Friday, BP was expected to begin the process of removing the cap and failed blowout preventer, another step toward completion of a relief well that would put a final seal on the well. The Deepwater Horizon exploded April 20, killing 11 people and setting off a three-month leak that totaled 206 million gallons of oil.
.
Just a subtle reminder to folks............the DWH disaster is far from over, and the news keeps pouring in; it just doesn't make the mainstream. Don't make the mistake of thinking that the DWH situation is mostly over with.
Let's hope with this one that they do not use dispersants, and simply collect it on the surface.
Let's hope with this one that they do not use dispersants, and simply collect it on the surface.
happyretiree
Veteran Member
No link, but it is said the Coast Guard is backing off the statement that there is a mile long oil spill. Just a blurb on hourly update news.
Found an update.
http://content.usatoday.com/communi...-rig-explosion-in-gulf-off-louisiana/1?csp=hf
Found an update.
http://content.usatoday.com/communi...-rig-explosion-in-gulf-off-louisiana/1?csp=hf