Fire
Effective Date: 7/18/1983
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No.114
July 18, 1983
OCS Operations Safety Alert
Fire
Two contract personnel were cleaning out a plugged drain line to a production platform sump casing using an electric motor driven roto rooter-type device. Fluids which normally flowed through the vertical section of the drain line had been rerouted into the sump casing through an inspection opening normally covered by an inspection plate. Natural gas fumes from within the sump migrated through the open drain line and inspection opening and drifted across the nonexplosion proof electric motor, causing a flash fire and second-degree burns to both personnel.
To prevent a recurrence of this type accident, the operator will use only explosion proof electrical equipment in areas where hydrocarbons may be present.
[signed] D.W. Solanas
Regional Supervisor
Offshore Operations Support
Gulf of Mexico OCS Region