Fire -- Capsized Barge Ruptures Gas Line

Effective Date: 11/27/1974

U.S. Department of the Interior
Minerals Management Service
Gulf of Mexico OCS Region

Notice No. 014

November 27, 1974

OCS Operations Safety Alert

Fire--Capsized Barge Ruptures Gas Line

A fire on an offshore production platform was caused recently by anoverturned wireline barge puncturing a gas line.

The barge had been jacked up near the structure where capsizing occurred.Heavy weather moved the barge against the structure where a high-pressure gaspipeline was located. The pipeline was ruptured and ignition occurred.

The safety system actuated to prevent further gas from entering the line. Theline was bled off and the fire extinguished. There were no injuries to personnelor serious pollution, although the auxiliary equipment on the platform sustainedmoderate damage.

To prevent recurrence of this type of accident, the operator is designatingcertain areas in the vicinity of structures as safe locations for jack-up rigs;and in the event a similar situation occurs where an object poses a threat ofcolliding with a structure, operations will be suspended and the facilitiesplaced in a safe condition.,

[signature] D.W. Solanas

Oil and Gas Supervisor

Field Operations

Gulf of Mexico Area