Collision - 1999

January 23, 1999 – Snyder Oil Corporation

Remarks: While attempting to offload pallet material to the platform, the M/V Bolling Tide was pushed into the platform by 6-8 foot waves. The boat collided with the boat landing and a diesel fuel tank on the vessel ruptured, spilling 4,420 gallons of diesel; heavy seas dispersed the spill and the spill response was initiated.

January 24, 1999 – Kerr McGee Oil & Gas Corporation

Remarks: After off-loading and back-loading supplies and equipment at Platform A, Secor Marine's M/V Avalon turned about 180 degrees to go to Platform B. The captain of the M/V said he made several turns of the wheel to port at half throttle and proceeded to make entries into the log. Ten to fifteen seconds later he glanced up and discovered the vessel did not have a sufficient turn radius to clear the structure. The captain pulled throttles neutral then hard astern, but could not avoid the structure. Initial reports stated there were minor damages to the vessel and the platform. Upon further investigation, the vessel was found to have a crease on the bow/forward quarter along with chipped paint. There were no ruptures in the vessel. Investigation by the operator revealed damage to the "Plus 10" horizontal brace. Production operations were not interrupted.

January 25 , 1999 – Newfield Exploration Company

Remarks: Edison Chouest Marine's M/V Fast Scout struck the platform. Visibility was good and there were no obstructions. The M/V was passing through the field and the captain of the vessel was looking through field glasses at anchor patterns 8-10 miles ahead. The wind and current took the vessel off the set course and the M/V struck the platform at full speed (approximately 20 knots). The vessel suffered major damage to the bow and starboard side. Production operations were shut in until platform damage was confirmed to be minor. Investigation by the platform operator revealed damage to the "Plus 10" horizontal brace on the east and south sides of the structure and damage to the cross braces. The diver report indicated damage to underwater sections of vertical bracing above "X" and a dent to one leg on the surface. Analysis of the dent indicated only minimal damage. Horizontal bracing above the water line was extensively damaged and will be repaired along with the upper portion of vertical "X" bracing. A mag particle inspection initiated on the joint cans revealed no cracks.

March 5 , 1999 – Union Pacific Resources, Inc.

Remarks: U.S. Coast Guard determined that the M/V Carnival 1, an ocean-going container ship, collided with the #2 well caisson. Divers confirmed that the caisson sustained no subsea damage; damage was limited to a minor scrape at the surface, which does not compromise the integrity of the well. Damages to the structure beams, flowline piping, and heliport were substantial.

June 5, 1999 – Newfield Exploration Company

Remarks: While heading to Fourchon in Seacor Force on a heading of 45 degrees, the captain and a seaman were on the bridge. The seaman left the bridge and the captain went to send a report. The vessel hit a casing head. Neither person saw the casing head in front of the vessel; apparently the front mast blocked it. The structure had working navigational aids and was not manned at the time.

July 19 , 1999 – Hunt Oil Company

Remarks: The M/V Kimberly, a commercial fishing vessel, collided with an unmanned well structure. The structure sustained minor damage to the southwest leg and pipeline riser guard. The flowline was cracked on a weld seam located on a 2-inch by 4-inch bell reducer downstream of the choke body. The structure safety system shut in the well at the SSV and SCSSV

August 26 , 1999 – CNG Producing Company

Remarks: A PHI helicopter was departing the platform when a gust of wind apparently blew it from the helideck to the production deck below. One person sustained serious injuries.

September 20, 1999 – Vastar Resources, Inc.

Remarks: The tugboat Ellen Bouchard was towing an empty Bouchard Transportaion Company barge (Barge B #195). The first mate was at the helm of the tugboat when, due to 20-knot winds, the barge collided with the south end of a production platform. The barge rolled into the east side of the platform, damaging a barge bumper and a 3-inch condensate pipeline (MMS segment #9509). The pipeline was taken out of service and a pig was pushed through it with natural gas in order to displace the condensate.

October 18 , 1999 – Chevron U.S.A., Inc.

Remarks: The sequence of the accident is not known. A boat apparently caused platform damage but no witnesses could be found. The damage to the platform was discovered when the operator sent a crew out at daybreak to investigate why the computer-monitored platform had shut-in.

November 30 , 1999 – BP Amoco Corporation

Remarks: The boat Dino Chouest was tied to the platform pumping diesel to the facility in 4-foot seas. After releasing one rope due to weather, the boat hit a leg of the platform on the northwest side creating a hole in the boat; 40 gallons of diesel went into the Gulf. The operator inspected the leg of the TLP and found no damage.