Fire
Effective Date: 7/6/1984
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 130
July 6, 1984
OCS Operations Safety Alert
Fire
A shallow gas blowout was successfully diverted on the Outer Continental Shelf of the Gulf of Mexico recently. The shallow gas problem was anticipated, the crews had been briefed on how it would be handled and 400 barrels of 12.5 lbs./gal. kill mud had been mixed and was ready in the reserve pit. When the shallow sand was penetrated, the well flowed for about an hour through the 8-inch diverter system, port and starboard lines, before it bridged.
While the well was flowing mud and gas, sparks were observed coming out of the port side generator exhaust. The port diverter was closed, but after the mud drained from the diverter line a flash fire occurred at the end of the diverter line. The diverter line was flooded with water and the fire was extinguished without causing any damage.
To prevent a recurrence of this type of accident, a 1-inch water line was installed on the generator exhaust pipe with a fine spray nozzle located on top of the pipe. Spray from this nozzle will prevent sparks from reaching outflow from the diverter line.
[signed] D.W. Solanas
Regional Supervisor
Rules and Production
Gulf of Mexico OCS Region