Gulf of Mexico Region

Fires – 1999

Remarks: A small fire occurred, resulting in minor damage to pipeline pump PAX-6040B. The seals failed, allowing excessive temperature to build up due to friction; this ignited the remaining lubricating oil. The seal and pump manufacturers performed a root cause analysis.

Remarks: A small fire occurred, involving one of two platform generators. The #2 generator winding was found smoking with no visible flames. The insulation (epoxy coating) started to smolder, which kept the heat in the winding and allowed the copper to burn. A CO₂ fire extinguisher was used to cool and contain the smoldering generator winding. Damage was restricted to the generator.

Remarks: A minor flash fire occurred. A welding operation to repair a hand railing on the top deck was in progress at the same time as a natural gas crane was in use. Slag sparks from the welding operation came into contact with the gas being exhausted from the crane. The crane was shut down and the fire was extinguished. No damage was reported.

Remarks: A small fire occurred during the installation of a new compressor panel. An offshore technician cut through an energized wire, and caused a spark that ignited a small amount of oil. The oil had accumulated in the compressor skid pan as he was disconnecting old wiring from the existing compressor panel. The fire was immediately extinguished with rags. No damage was reported.

Remarks: A compressor backfired when it was restarted without completely purging the cylinders of fuel gas. The resulting sparks or flame from the backfire ignited gases coming from a nearby glycol still column vent. The fire was quickly extinguished using a seawater hose. There was no significant damage to equipment.

Remarks: A welder caused a small flash fire while starting to cut the 18 5/8-inch surface casing after the cement job. The wellhead area and the 18 5/8-inch by 30-inch annulus were checked with a gas detector; there was no evidence of gas. The annular fluid was 6 feet below the wellhead when the cut began. Slag fell into the annulus and caused the flash fire. The annulus was then filled with water and bubbles were observed migrating through the fluid. The annulus was squeezed from the surface to ensure isolation prior to nippling down the diverter and further cutting of the casing. There was no damage to equipment.

Remarks: While welding, a spark fell by the sump. A flash fire occurred for approximately one second. The sump was covered by tarps.

Remarks: A fire occurred on the exhaust piping from an EMD engine on the rig. An exhaust spark ignited some residual oil on the exhaust piping. The emergency response alarm was initiated. The fire was extinguished with a 30-lb chemical unit in less than two minutes. No damage was reported.

Remarks: While enlarging mounting holes on a demister bundle with a cutting torch, some residual paraffin was ignited by the heated metal and resulted in a flash fire. The fire was extinguished using a 30-lb ABC dry chemical unit. No property damage occurred.

Remarks: A light fixture was opened to verify its operating voltage; the bare wires inside ignited a fire. The fire was extinguished with handheld equipment and the appropriate electrical circuits were turned off.

Remarks: A platform operator working alone on the platform sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burns to 26% of his body, two fractured ribs, and a separated shoulder. He was in the living quarters when he heard something blow out and continue to blow. He exited the quarters to determine the cause and observed liquid blowing from the #121 condensate pump. He went to the pump and was reaching for the suction valve handle when the escaping liquids/gases ignited. He sustained the immediate flash of the fire and made his way to a stairwell, where he tripped and fell down the stairway approximately 15 feet. Manual activation of the boat landing ESD or automatic detection and activation of the fusible fire loop system over the condensate pump skid resulted in total platform shut down. The fire continued due to the uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons. A pilot flying in the area reported the fire to a Shell facility nearby. The M/V Cecilia C rescued the operator from the structure. The fire apparently started at the #121 condensate pump. The #2 and #3 ceramic plungers/pistons were severely cracked. Condensate and gas under approximately 500 psi released uncontrolled to the atmosphere due to an apparent failure of the #1 ceramic plunger/piston in the condensate pump. The plunger/piston failure cause is uncertain, but likely resulted from thermal or acoustic (e.g. liquid hammer) shock.

Remarks: The platform diesel generator was started for power. While offloading supplies from the work boat, an alarm sounded and the lights went out. The operator noticed smoke coming from the cabinet of the skid mounted generator. When he opened the door, flames were coming from each end of the generator armature. The fire was put out with a dry chemical fire extinguisher.

Remarks: A small fire occurred when a gas leak on a failed flange gasket was ignited from an undetermined source. Vibration was the suspected cause of the gasket failure because one of the bolts in the flange was missing. The flange was located on a 2-inch line from the compressor starter exhaust line to the vent system. The gas source was either a leaking valve upstream of the starter or gas migration from the vent system.

Remarks: An operator saw smoke coming from a glycol reboiler. He removed some metal shielding and saw an 8-inch by 8-inch fire, which he put out with a 30-lb handheld chemical fire extinguisher.

Remarks: The generator winding failed, causing a build-up of heat. The heat worked its way back to the starter panel in the MCC building, melting the insulation on the wires; the exposed wires came into contact with electrical prints, creating an over-heating situation. Personnel threw the smoldering items in a 5-gallon bucket of water to extinguish the fire.

Remarks: A fire occurred on the drilling rig’s #1 generator engine, a Detroit TIB 16-149 (approximately 1200 HP) engine. Bearings caused the turbo charger to disintegrate. The automatic air intake shut down, immediately killing the engine. The hot engine ignited the turbo-charger cooling oil. The fire re-ignited a couple of times due to the previously heated engine. Nine 20-lb fire extinguishers and one dry chemical extinguisher were used to put out the fire.

Remarks: The rod assembly and piston parted at the crankshaft and exited the engine block on cylinders 4R and 4L, causing two small flames about 2 inches high and 3/8-inch wide between the distance piece and the frame of the compressor gasket area. Both flames were extinguished with a 30-lb dry chemical extinguisher within 30-45 seconds. It is unknown at this time what caused the fire. There was no damage to the compressor from the fire.

Remarks: A small electrical fire occurred when the oil shipping pump and switchgear were being commissioned. The transformer failed instantaneously as power was applied to bump the motor for the first time and the autotransformer for the oil shipping pump shorted internally. The fire detection system and electrical power disruption activated the platform's ESD system, although no continuous flames were observed. Initial observation indicated that some smoke was deposited on the surrounding switchgear. Two electrical engineers, the platform electrician, and the I&E construction inspector examined the system and determined it was safe to continue running the remainder of the 4,160-Volt equipment. This was the second time this transformer has failed. The first failure was due to a logic fault in the circuitry. The initial inspection revealed the second failure was due to an internal fault in the insulation of the transformer; the manufacturer’s inspection of the failed transformer confirmed these findings.

Remarks: An employee was alerted by an engine oil PSL alarm on the gas lift compressor. The alarm initiated a compressor shut-in. The compressor unloaded pressure as part of the shut-in procedure; the compressor engine slowed but failed to shut down completely, so the employee went to get a mechanic. Upon returning, an explosion occurred in the crankcase. Both men noticed a small fire in the exposed section of the compressor crankcase and extinguished it immediately with a nearby water hose. The compressor was shut down manually by closing the fuel valve.

Remarks: Welding slag from a construction project ignited a small fire from a fitting on a small gas supply line. The fitting did not seal tightly. The fire began sometime during the morning; however, it was not noticed until nightfall due to the small intensity and height of the flame. The fire was quickly extinguished with a 20-lb handheld dry chemical unit. No damage was reported.

Remarks: The fire alarm sounded and the platform shut-in. When the platform operator exited the quarters building to investigate, he saw flames approximately 3 feet high at the #1 gas compressor. He grabbed a handheld 30-lb Ansul fire extinguisher and put out the fire on the second burst. Upon initial investigation, it appeared that gas was leaking from a crack approximately 4 inches long in the third stage discharge piping/pulsation bottle. The crack ran diagonally from the third stage discharge piping (between the compressor cylinder and pulsation bottle), across a weld, and on to the reinforcing pad of the pulsation bottle. This area was covered with insulation. No signs of external corrosion were found.

Remarks: While making his rounds, the platform operator noticed black smoke coming from the auxiliary generator enclosure. When he opened the enclosure door to shut down the unit, he saw flames around the turbocharger. The operator shut down the unit and put out the fire with a handheld 30-lb Ansul fire extinguisher. Upon initial investigation, it appeared that the turbocharger had an internal failure, causing high vibration. The high vibration stripped out the two bolts holding the oil supply line to the turbocharger. The leaking oil ignited on the hot engine.

Remarks: A turbine gas compressor oil lube line parted and oil sprayed on the exhaust insulation, igniting a small fire. The TSE over the compressor activated and shut down the compressor. The fire was put out immediately with fire pump water and a 30-lb chemical extinguisher.

Remarks: The platform operator observed a small generator fire. The source of the fire was a small rubber hose that sprayed engine coolant between the engine exhaust and insulation. The coolant residue apparently ignited after the water flashed off due to the hot surface of the exhaust system. The small fire was immediately extinguished with the use of a CO₂ unit. The fire alarm was sounded and the generator was shut down. There was no damage.

Remarks: As part of deactivation of the platform’s process drain line system, a section of the high-pressure separator’s drain line was being cut with an electrical bandsaw. Construction contract personnel stopped severing the line because condensate flowed from the cut. After attempting to contain the spilled condensate and observing no more liquids flowing from the cut, the workers continued to cut the line. Condensate flowed from the cut and drenched the saw operator. The saw ignited the condensate and the ensuing fire engulfed the worker, who died days later as a result of the burns. Another worker was injured attempting to assist the burned worker. The fire caused approximately one million dollars worth of damage to the platform and approximately 15 gallons of condensate spilled into the Gulf. See OCS Report MMS 2000-029 for more details.

Remarks: The heater plug connector on the fire pump corroded and fell into the drip pan. The electrician went to check the fire pump failure; he picked up the connector, and it arced and ignited an oily residue in the skid pan. The fire was put out immediately with a 30-lb handheld extinguisher.

Remarks: Welding slag ignited oil accumulation in the skid of a lact unit. Welding was approximately 25 feet from the skid. Oil accumulated in the skid from a dripping ½-inch ball valve that was bumped open. The fire was extinguished immediately with a 30-lb dry chemical unit.

Remarks: A small fire occurred in the insulation of the compressor. The only real damage was to the insulation blanket. The fire was extinguished with a 30-lb handheld dry chemical unit.

Remarks: Welding slag ignited an accumulation of oil in the lact skid. Welding was taking place 25 feet from the skid. Oil was dripping in the skid when a ½-inch ball valve was bumped open. The fire was extinguished immediately with a 30-lb dry chemical unit. This is a repeat of a similar incident the day before.

Remarks: A welder was cutting on a spool for a new Wemco unit. It was believed that some slag fell between the boards and continued to smolder. The boards had been watered down both before and after the welding job was completed.

Remarks: A breaker for mud pump #2 ignited in MCC room. A 30-lb handheld unit was used to immediately extinguish the fire.

Remarks: A fire occurred on the exhaust of the fire pump #2 engine; it was extinguished immediately. A contractor technician and the platform operator were performing the weekly route fire pump inspection. They were conducting a nozzle flow test on a reel hose on the breezeway below the heliport. The fire pump was running at full throttle (1000 - 1100 rpm), maintaining an engine oil pressure of 80 psi. A contractor operator was monitoring the water pressure at the pump's discharge. The fire pump had been running approximately 15 minutes when a ¼-inch oil line ruptured, spraying oil onto the engine's hot manifold and turbo charger causing the fire. The contractor instantly shut down the fire pump by pulling the manual shutdown switch and extinguished the fire with a 30-lb dry chemical handheld unit. Several pieces of electrical equipment and rubber hoses were damaged.

Remarks: An operator found a pipeline pump electric motor on fire while responding to an alarm. He shut off the power to the motor and used fire water to put out the fire in 5 minutes. There was only damage to the motor and the pipe.

Remarks: An operator representative was cutting a rig diesel line when a very small flame was detected. The fire was extinguished with a 30-lb dry chemical unit. No damage was reported.

Remarks: An electrical wire grounded out inside a transformer, causing the wires to overheat and ignite inside the mud logging unit. A 30-lb dry chemical fire extinguisher was used to put out the fire.

Remarks: Natural gas escaped from the #1 generator fuel gas SDV. Due to faulty packing, the gas escaped through a weep hole. The ignition source was welding and cutting from overhead of the SDV. The fire was extinguished immediately. The SDV was not shielded by fire preventive tarp.

Remarks: The platform communication system was disabled and damaged during a severe thunderstorm. A small flame on a communication motherboard was detected by the platform operator and extinguished with a handheld CO₂ unit. Inspection revealed a 2-inch charred spot on the motherboard. No other damage to equipment was reported.

Remarks: A small fire occurred when a clamp, located between the expansion joint and the compressor engine exhaust, became dislocated allowing a 2-foot flame to escape during a compressor start-up. The compressor was shut down and allowed to cool so repairs could be performed. Insulation was removed from the area to allow the clamp to be reinstalled. The flame immediately extinguished itself. There was no damage to equipment.

Remarks: A rental 350-kW generator caught on fire due to electrical motor winding. The fire was put out with a 30-lb handheld dry chemical unit. The generator was returned to the contractor.

Remarks: A minor flash fire occurred while a welder was repairing handrails near the moon pool. Fuel for the fire originated from a small accumulation of oil or condensate inside the free standing production riser. The fire extinguished itself immediately. There was no damage reported.

Remarks: The #2 platform generator had a lubricating oil line that leaked onto the exhaust manifold. The small fire extinguished itself within 15 seconds. The oil line was replaced.

Remarks: The Ensco rig electrician observed a fire on the #1 main rig engine. The electrician shut off the fuel supply to the engine and sounded the fire alarm. The derrickman extinguished the fire with a 30-lb carbon dioxide unit. There was minimal damage to the engine and related equipment.

Remarks: A minor fire developed in an air conditioning unit in the MCC room. The fire was extinguished and the air conditioning unit was replaced.

Remarks: A small fire ignited on the KVSR gas compressor. The fuel header gasket failed on the #11 cylinder and gas entered the coil box, which ignited. The fire was extinguished immediately.

Remarks: The operator filled the lube oil day tank for the gas compressor and did not notice the fill valve to the generator lube oil day tank was partially open. The lube oil was inadvertently pumped to the generator lube oil day tank and over-filled, allowing the oil to pool on the roof of the generator building near the generator exhaust pipe. The operator shut down the lube oil transfer pump upon filling the compressor lube oil day tank and proceeded to the living quarters. The lube oil eventually made contact with the generator engine exhaust insulation. The insulation guided the lube oil down into the generator building and into contact with the exhaust pipe and engine; the lube oil ignited in and around the generator exhaust pipe. The evolution of the fire increased and the thermal plugs on both sides of the exhaust manifold melted. Initial attempts to extinguish the flames inside the generator building were not successful. The fire spread to the roof of the generator building where it melted a plastic tank filled with flammable engine coolant, adding fuel to the fire. Personnel evacuated the platform after all tries to extinguish the fire were exhausted.

Remarks: A gas leak from tubing going to the dryer may have made contact with the coil to ignite. This was on the #4 compressor. The fire was put out with a 5-lb chemical extinguisher.

Remarks: During a workover operation, coiled tubing parted between the stripper assembly and the injector head allowing gas to escape to the atmosphere. The crew shut the pipe rams, shear rams, and blind rams but the well still flowed. The platform was shut in and all personnel were evacuated. On September 12, the well caught on fire. This incident is under investigation by MMS.

Remarks: A small fire occurred on pipeline pump #1 when oil from a bad oil tank carried over and splashed onto the pump exhaust piping. A high level in the bad oil tank occurred because a malfunctioned BS&W monitor failed to alarm when oil was inadvertently diverted to the bad oil tank. Carry over of the tank occurred due to a LSH failure. The TSE and ESD activated and initiated platform shut-in. Platform personnel extinguished the fire immediately.

Remarks: A small fire occurred in the air compressor on the production deck. The ground wire for the air compressor broke and created static electricity, causing a small internal fire. It was put out with a 30-lb dry chemical extinguisher. Damage was limited to the air compressor.

Remarks: There was an oil leak in an oil pressure tubing line that vibrated against a 110-volt alternator on the crane engine. This resulted in a small fire in the platform crane engine drip pan. It was extinguished immediately and there was minimal damage.

Remarks: A small electrical fire occurred due to a centrifuge switch failure. The platform operator plugged in the electrical cord for the unit, turned the machine on, and left the area. He returned five minutes later to discover the switch had caught on fire. The fire was extinguished and the electrical cord was unplugged.

Remarks: A platform operator opened a side door to a metal enclosure/sound barrier. This let oxygen into the enclosure, and the oil-coated insulation caught fire. The fire was quickly put out with a handheld extinguisher. The unit was then shut down.

Remarks: Compressor CBA 2020 experienced a shut-in, caused by the engine stalling. The compressor went through its normal shutdown functions. At this point, the SDV was closing while the BDV was opening. During the blowdown phase of the shutdown, a 2-foot by 16-inch long stainless steel flex hose in the vent system on the compressor skid failed. The failure of the hose caused gas that should have gone to the flare scrubber to be vented locally. The lead operator responded to a production alarm caused by the compressor shutdown. On the way to the production panel, he could see the fire on the west side of the compressor skid near the engine; he activated the platform ESD. The fire was put out in one minute with two 30-lb handheld dry chemical fire extinguishers. The ignition source is undetermined.

Remarks: Heat caused oil on bearings to catch fire. The flame was about 8 inches high. One 30-lb handheld dry chemical fire extinguisher was used to put out the fire. The location of the fire was the motor on the lact unit.

Remarks: While filling the diesel tank on a rental air compressor, the hose from the portable tank came loose and sprayed diesel on the exhaust of the air compressor. The diesel ignited and was extinguished with a 20-lb dry chemical unit. The fire lasted less than 30 seconds and damage was limited to wiring on the air compressor.

Remarks: A portable fan caught on fire. The power to the fan was cut off immediately and the fire was extinguished. The fan was located on a deck outside the living quarters and was used to cool personnel on break. Weather and/or a short circuit may have been a contributing cause.

Remarks: A very small fire occurred when a natural gas fuel line parted at a connection and leaked. Some nearby rags caught fire and were extinguished with a handheld dry chemical fire unit. The actual fire was on the rig. The ignition source is unknown.

Remarks: On the booster sales compressor, the fuel line leaked and came into contact with the coil, causing a small fire. The root cause appears to be a bushing on the fuel line that was loosened due to vibration. The fire was extinguished immediately with a 30-lb handheld chemical unit. "Lock-Tite" was applied to all fittings.

Remarks: On a platform generator, the piping between the exhaust manifold and the expansion joint caught on fire. A leak of process oil from the platform fuel gas system came into contact with the exhaust, causing the fire. It was extinguished immediately.

Remarks: A failure occurred in the draw works while running the BOP stack, the lower marine riser package (LMRP), and the riser assembly. The top drive struck the rig floor and the BOP, LMRP, and riser assembly fell into the gulf. A fire also occurred and was extinguished within a few minutes.

Remarks: The Pool 10 rig crew was performing routine maintenance on rig components when a night driller noticed a flame in the compressor building. The small fire was caused by an ignition coil on the #1 left bank head of the booster compressor engine. He grabbed a 30-lb fire extinguisher and put out the fire. The engine was shut down.

Remarks: After shutting in the wells, contract crews began welding and cutting on the platform. While cutting on the heliport, slag fell through the top deck grating and onto the panel board. Gas leaked out of regulators and ignited. The only damage was to regulators inside the panel board.

Remarks: A small gas leak in the exhaust system on #6 gas compressor ignited a small fire near the filter media and was extinguished immediately with a 30-lb dry chemical unit. Damage was minimal.

Remarks: Cutting and welding were taking place on the top deck, Which was constructed of creosote boards. Two operators on Platform A noticed a deck fire on the platform and notified the site supervisor of Platform B. The M/V Mr. Andre fought the fire for a short time. A helicopter dropped two operators on the platform; the fire was extinguished using six 30-lb handheld dry chemical units.

Remarks: The battery cable lead wire connection was loose. A spark from the loose connection caught grease on fire and went out on its own.

Remarks: While cutting the 13 5/8-inch casing with a cutting torch, a flash fire occurred due to gas emanating from the oil-based mud. It quickly went out on its own. They were cutting the casing to install the wellhead.

Remarks: Two Halliburton wireline operators were to perform maintenance service on a Halliburton wireline unit. The wireline unit was approximately 20 feet from the compressor unit skid. The operators heard a loud uncontrolled release of natural gas blowing from the compressor unit. They observed the uncontrolled gas release for approximately 1 minute, assuming the compressor unit would shut down. The released gas accumulation apparently came into contact with the hot surface of the turbocharger assembly and engine exhaust system (estimated temperature 900° F), resulting in ignition. An operator reported the fire to CXY Energy personnel stationed on Platform A and activated the platform ESD. The operators fought the fire with a 150-lb. wheeled unit and 6 30-lb. handheld extinguishers. Three employees arrived on the platform to help extinguish the fire and isolate the compressor by closing the upstream manual block valves. The volume of natural gas remaining in the compressor 3^rd stage scrubber continued to escape though a parted 1-inch nipple. The M/V Jansen G arrived and began spraying water on the compressor unit with its onboard fire monitor, cooling the hot surfaces of the gas compressor unit, allowing the platform personnel to completely extinguish the fire. The fire was extinguished and re-ignited 6 times, diminishing in magnitude each time. There was major damage to the platform compressor unit.

Remarks: Sealed bearings in the drill water pump #1 heated to the point of smoking while in service. A small fire occurred when the pump was shut down.

Remarks: The insulation on the Amberbrol circulation system caught fire. The fire was put out with an extinguisher. There were minimal damages.

Remarks: During the welding of a flange on the inlet piping of a production vessel, a flash fire occurred. One welder was burned.

Remarks: A 3/8-inch steel line filled with coolant cracked and allowed fluid to spill onto the compressor feets turbo-charger. It produced a small fire with no damage. The compressor then went down. While the operator was attempting to restart the compressor, he noticed the small fire and immediately extinguished it.

Remarks: While welding on the top deck, a spark from a welding rod fell down into the drip pan for the glycol reboiler and ignited a small amount of condensate in the pan. The fire was immediately extinguished. There was no damage to the platform.

Remarks: Steam was observed near the turbo charger exhaust. An ambitrol line was spraying fluid from a loose chemical line onto the exhaust, causing a small fire on the compressor turbo charger exhaust. The fire was extinguished immediately with minimal damage.

Remarks: A welder was replacing bad grating on the catwalk leading to the master dump valves under the main deck. Cutting and welding operations were going on at the same time. The rig crew started transferring "ECO-MUL 300" from internal tanks in the hull to the active mud pits. The rig crew was having trouble priming the base oil transfer pump; when the pump did catch prime, it blew the fluid out of a loose flange on the main deck level. The fluid spilled down the side of the rig structure and onto the catwalk where the welder was working, igniting. A crane operator working in the area immediately spotted the fire. The base oil transfer pump was shut down and the oxygen and acetylene bottles were turned off. The well was shut in and fire teams extinguished the fire in approximately ten minutes.

Remarks: The platform was in the process of starting up after a two-day shut in for maintenance. The heat media surge tank had a high level alarm when the heat media system came back in service. They attempted to drain the Chem Therm from the heat media surge tank into a drum, but the surge tank level was still too high. Another attempt to drain the surge tank resulted in spilling the fluid onto the insulated generator muffler located on the deck below; the fluid found its way to the hot surface and ignited. At the same time, the drum bubbled Chem Therm onto the surge tank, which also ignited. The automatic shut in of the platform was initiated via a TSE. The fire was extinguished with handheld fire units.