Injuries – 2003 (31 incidents – 43 injuries total)

16-Jan-2003 – Century Exploration Company

(also listed as Fire, Explosion, and Fatality)

Remarks: A Bell 206L-1 single engine helicopter was destroyed on impact with the platform. The helicopter crash landed on top of a generator skid on the platform deck and caught fire. The pilot and two passengers were seriously injured and a third passenger was fatally injured. The three men were seen bailing out of the aircraft after impact. There was a second explosion and the fire became more intense. Platform personnel began to fight the fire with 30 lb. and 150 lb. dry chemical extinguishers and water. The NTSB cited the pilot’s improper approach and settling with power as probable causes (see NTSB factual and probable cause reports). Damage to the platform is estimated at $1,132,475.

01-Feb-2003 – GOM Shelf LLC

(also listed as Fire)

Remarks:  An employee working on an open gas line ignited a fire. Prior to the incident the employee had removed a one-inch gas vent line but failed to check for gas fumes and plug the open end of the pipe which continued to leak gas. The employee was dismantling a second one- inch gas vent line at the time of the accident. He apparently hit the hammer union on the second vent line with a non-brass hammer causing a spark which ignited the fire. The employee received first and second degree burns to his face and hands.  

 03-Feb-2003 – Transworld Exploration and Production, Inc.

Remarks:.  A contract employee working on the back deck of a M/V was pinched between the crane and the tugger frame. His hip and left buttock were crushed.

02-Mar-2003 – El Paso Production Company

Remarks:  A contract employee was dismantling a lubricator and putting it in a basket at the time of the incident. He was braced between the basket and the lubricator for leverage and loosening a flange bolt when a set of elevators in the basket shifted, pinning his right ring finger and little finger. He was taken to hospital where a pin was inserted in the broken ring finger.

02-Mar-2003 – Dominion Exploration & Production, Inc.

Remarks:  While pushing out a short drill collar onto the pipe handling skate, the employee signaled to lower the gate. As the gate started down, the employee’s foot slipped over the guard and was pinched between the guard and gate, smashing the steel toe of his boot and peeling skin off two toes.

03-Mar-2003 – W & T Offshore, Inc.

Remarks:  A contract employee was working in the bottom of the rig mud pit tank when he was struck on the head by a falling metal object. He was not wearing a hard hat at the time.  He was wearing a full face mask which was not compatible with his hard hat.

04-Mar-2003 – Union Oil Company of California

(also listed as Fire)

Remarks:  The incident occurred when the contract operator was attempting to equalize pressure on a meter on the test separator to make a plate change. In changing the plate, the operator failed to properly secure the hold down bar on the meter which allowed gas to escape. The escaping gas rose upward where it was ingested into the generator directly above the separator causing the engine to backfire and igniting a back flash fire down to the gas leak. The individual said he was blown backwards several feet; he sustained injuries to his lower back, neck, and right forearm while trying to exit the area. Onboard personnel utilized a 30 lb. fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire at the meter. Property damage is estimated at $750.

04-Apr-2003 – Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Remarks:  The crew were pulling the riser and BOP’s. An employee was using an air impact gun to disconnect one joint of marine riser from the riser running tool.  While doing so, the elevators moved on the riser shaft pinning the employee’s hand between the elevators and the air impact gun.

06-May-2003 – Hunt Oil Company

(also listed as Fire)

Remarks:  The operator opened the back of a production panel to make some adjustments. When he opened the door approximately three inches, a flash fire occurred that lasted only 2-3 seconds. Subsequent inspection indicated several tubing leaks that provided a fuel source for the fire. Also found was evidence that oily rags had been stored inside the panel, the panel vent had been sealed with a plastic plug, and the panel had not been properly grounded. Spontaneous combustion of the oil rags is thought to have caused a smoldering fire which consumed the oxygen within the sealed panel. When the operator opened the panel, the inrush or air provided enough oxygen to ignite the gas which had accumulated inside the sealed panel. The operator sustained 2^nd degree burns on his face and hands and was evacuated to the hospital.

08-May-2003 – Hunt Petroleum (AEC), Inc.

Remarks:  Upon hooking up electrical connectors from the rig power source to the mud logging unit, one of the mud loggers grabbed an armor shielded electrical cable that plugs into the unit and was shocked with 277 volts of electricity.   

16-May-2003 – BP Exploration & Production Inc.

(also listed as Fire)

Remarks:  The rig welder was in the process of cutting pad eye holds in the casing from the inside of the pipe outward. A flash fire occurred inside the pipe, knocking the welder back away from the casing. The welder experienced bruises and superficial burns to his face and a cut on his forehead from his goggles. He was transported to UTMB in Galveston, treated, and released.

17-May-2003 – Energy Partners, Ltd.

Remarks:  While tripping in the hole with a drill pipe, the next stand of pipe broke free from the retainer rack and became lodged under the top drive. A second stand of pipe bounced around and struck the shaker hand who sustained a broken jaw, fractured cheek bone, and needed several stitches.

21-May-2003 – Newfield Exploration Company

Remarks:  While moving pipe to the pipe rack an employee was pinned between the pipe rack and a sling load of pipe. The employee suffered a broken leg and was flown to the local hospital. The employee was standing on top of the drill pipe waiting on the crane operator to lift two drill collars to be placed on the work boat. When the lift was made, the load swung pinning the employee and breaking his leg.  

13-Jun-2003 – J. M. Huber Corporation

Remarks:  A contract employee passed out while chipping with an air hammer. He was flown to the hospital and returned too work after 3 days.

07-Jul-2003 – Samedan Oil Corporation

Remarks:  An Aerospatiale AS350BA single engine helicopter was on final approach and preparing to land on the platform. The helicopter was hovering 4 to 5 feet above the deck when the tail rotor struck the platform safety fence. The helicopter made 1.5 revolutions before contacting the deck and coming to rest in an upright position. The helicopter was occupied by the pilot and one contract employee. According to the MMS accident report, the employee sustained a minor injury (bruised leg).  The NTSB cited the pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the safety fence while landing as the probable cause (see NTSB factual and probable cause reports).

08-Jul-2003 – GOM Shelf LLC

Remarks:  The crane operator was attempting to backload a refrigerator onto the deck of a motor vessel when the boom slipped and failed, shearing the boom dog and causing the load to free fall onto the deck. The deck hand sustained injuries to two arm tendons, four broken ribs, and a cracked pelvis as a result of the accident. Property damage to the crane, platform, and M/V are estimated at $250,000.

The probable causes of the accident are: 1) the crane operator had only limited experience operating friction-type cranes, and 2) the operator failed to follow safe operating practices for moving loads. Other possible causes include:  3) the boom lever might not have been fully engaged allowing the boom to free fall and shear the boom dog, 4) the boom might have been over extended in angle causing it to slip, and 5) the crane might have been previously damaged and the damage was not detected.

13-Aug-2003 – Unocal Exploration Corporation

(also listed as Fatality)

Remarks:  A Bell 206L-3 single engine helicopter crashed during take off from the platform. The aircraft was inbound to Intercoastal City carrying five onboard. The commercial pilot and two passengers were fatally injured and two other passengers seriously injured. Prior to the accident “everyone [was] rushing because rain was moving in”. Winds were 180 degrees at 23 knots. As the pilot increased engine RPM’s, the helicopter rolled to the right impacting the platform and water. The aircraft and two missing bodies were recovered. The NTSB filed a preliminary report and is continuing to investigate.

17-Aug-2003 – Newfield Exploration Company

Remarks:  While removing and dismantling the rig, a contract employee was removing the last pin on a stairway when the stairway shifted and struck the employee on the hand. The employee’s finger was later removed.  

09-Sep-2003 – Newfield Exploration Company

Remarks:  A filter pot on a regulator supplying a controller blew off and hit an employee in the head. The accident caused a 1 inch cut to the back of his head. The employee was treated at the hospital and released to be seen by his personal physician.

11-Sep-2003 – Manti Operating Company

Remarks:  The drilling barge was jacking up on location and had reached a height of about 27 feet when a problem with the number 2 starboard bow leg jacking motor occurred. Jacking operations were shut down and the crew was waiting on repair parts. During this period, work was begun to remove the defective motor. The repair procedure included welding a chock block to prevent the jacking cogs from turning, slowly releasing the motor brake with a hand powered hydraulic pump to ease the rig weight onto the chock, installing the new motor, and finally, continuing the jacking operation.

The chock block had been welded and the number 2 motor brake was being slowly released. The brake piston moved slightly and a popping sound was heard (which is normal when the weight is being transferred to the chock). As the brake was being pumped open, a loud popping sound was heard and the gears on the number 1 motor were slowly turning causing the starboard side of the barge to move slowly down the leg. The barge went into a free fall, as the aft starboard leg brakes gave way, and the rig fell on its starboard side.

At the time of the incident, two people were being transferred from the crew boat to the rig via  personnel basket, and two others had been similarly transferred. When the rig began to fall, two people fell onto the crew boat and two fell into the water. The crane operator rode the crane cab into the water and suffered a broken back. A total of forty-one people were on board; all were recovered. Twelve crew members were hospitalized: five became lost time injuries, five reported back to work for regular duty, and two reported back to work for restricted duty.

The causes of the accident are:  1) the failure of the welded chock block to support the weight of the barge, and 2) the mechanical failure of the jacking leg motor brakes. Damage is estimated at $20,000,000.

12-Sep-2003 – Helis Oil and Gas Company, LLC

Remarks:  A Bell 206-B3 single engine helicopter skidded off the helideck during start up, impacted the water, and sank. The aircraft could not be located and is presumed to be destroyed. One passenger sustained minor injuries. The NTSB cited a loss of control for an undetermined reason as the probable cause (see NTSB factual and probable cause reports).

14-Sep-2003 – Union Oil Company of California

Remarks:  The lost time accident occurred when the derrickman was cutting chemical sacks open with a box cutter and accidentally cut himself on the inside of his left wrist. The derrickman experienced numbness and weakness in his pinky and ring finger of the same hand.

26-Sep-2003 – Energy Resource Technology, Inc.

(also listed as Fire)

Remarks:  A flash fire occurred causing a contract employee to sustain cuts and second degree burns to his body. Two contract employees were in the process of removing glycol pump number 1 which was not functioning properly. Glycol pump number 2 remained in service while pump number 1 was being replaced. The lead operator started operating the crane and heard a popping sound. He investigated the popping sound and observed a fire in the vicinity of the pump system. He activated the Emergency Shutdown System. The fire went out on its own; however, a cardboard box ignited and a 30 lb. dry chemical unit was used to extinguish that fire.  

Subsequent investigation revealed that the ball valve located on the glycol rich line coming in from the contact tower and going to pump no. 2 parted at a joint connection. The pump failure  released glycol (and entrained gas) which was ignited by the glycol reboiler. The injured employee was evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment.   Property damage is estimated at $2,000.

05-Oct-2003 – Hunt Petroleum (AEC), Inc.

Remarks:  A roustabout and a crane operator were positioning a 24-inch drive pipe hammer (weighing 28,000 lbs) on the cantilever deck, with the aft crane, prior to off loading it to a work boat with the port bow crane. The roustabout attached a 22-foot tag line to the load before attempting the lift. As the crane operator was lifting the drive pipe hammer, it swung as the roustabout was backing down the catwalk away from the load. The roustabout’s left foot slipped from the catwalk and was caught between a 20-foot section of 12-inch flowline piping and the catwalk. The drive pipe hammer made contact with the 12-inch flowline piping, pinning the roustabout’s left foot between the piping and the catwalk, and fracturing his foot.

The causes of the accident are the failure of the crane operator to: 1) follow prescribed work practices, and 2) position the crane boom tip over the load at the time of the lift to prevent the load from swinging and striking personnel.

21-Oct-2003 – Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

Remarks:  The operator was backing down a ladder when he lost his footing and fell on the edge of the containment skid. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

23-Oct-2003 – The Houston Exploration Company

(also listed as Explosion)

Remarks:  While going in the hole with a perforating assembly conveyed on coil tubing, the assembly detonated in the lubricator and injured one man working on the well deck. The man was sent in for medical treatment and all operations have ceased.

27-Oct-2003 – BP Exploration & Production Inc.

Remarks:  The casing operation was halted to remove a bag of protectors from the rig floor. The power tongs were set on the floor and disconnected from the air hoist (so the bag could be moved), but the power to the tongs was not shut off. After the bag was moved,  the tongs were being prepared to rig up the hoist line. The floor-hand lost his footing and dropped the spring of the rigging assembly which came into contact with the operating handle engaging the equipment. The tong head rotated catching the top part of the floor-hand’s right foot causing a severe laceration. His toes and front portion of the right foot were later amputated in the hospital.

The causes of the accident are: 1) approaching the tongs from the front instead of from the side,  2) not shutting off the power to the tongs when they were set down, and  3) possible complacency on the part the floor-hand who had 6 years experience.

28-Nov-2003 – Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

Remarks:  While mooring a M/V to the platform, a large wave hit the boat. An M/V crew member was hit by the wave, but his harness prevented him from going overboard. He complained of back pain and internal pain and was taken to the hospital. The wave also tore loose several deck boards and chained-down grocery boxes, and knocked out the window to the main cabin rear door. This incident falls under USCG jurisdiction.

03-Dec-2003 – Chevron Texaco Corporation

Remarks:  A contract roustabout was injured while loading equipment onto an offshore support vessel (OSV). The roustabout was assisting in the loading of equipment from the drill rig onto the OSV. Winds were 20 knots and seas were 6 to 8 feet. The operation was suspended pending arrival of a helicopter, and the crew was waiting on the vessel. At some point, the ship listed due to a wave or swell causing the roustabout to fall onto a test separator which slid into another piece of equipment pinning him between the two. The injured worker was extricated by personnel on the OSV, treated on scene by the rig medic, and flown via medical evacuation helicopter to the hospital. He is expected to miss more than 72 hours of work.   

07-Dec-2003 – Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

Remarks:  Contract operators were working onboard an M/V back loading construction equipment. Seas were 1 to 3 feet. At the time of the incident, the men were assisting the crane operator with a lift, handling tag lines attached to a bottle rack with oxygen and acetylene bottles.  The rack was positioned a couple of feet off the boat deck and within a couple of feet from where it was to be placed. Both operators placed their hands on the 3-inch angle iron rack frame to push it into place. When the crane operator lowered the rack onto the deck, the bottles rocked back and forth smashing the contract operator’s thumb. The injured man will be on disability for 14 days.

26-Dec-2003 – Exxon Mobil Corporation

(also listed as Collision)

Remarks: The M/V was delivering personnel and equipment to the rig. While approaching the platform, the Captain of the M/V was distracted with a phone call and lost visual contact with the platform. Prior to the collision there was no communication between the vessel and the platform. There were no injuries reported from the rig or platform; however, three passengers and one crew member onboard the vessel reported injuries. Damage to the platform is estimated at $800,000.