Heater Explodes -- Man Injured

Effective Date: 10/14/1975

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

Notice No. 029

October 14, 1975

OCS Operations Safety Alert

Heater Explodes -- Man Injured

A man working on an offshore production platform was injured recently when the high pressure coils in a line heater ruptured.

The workman was placing on production a gas well which flows through a line heater ahead of a separator. The heater was not fired at the time of the accident. When pressure from the well was applied to the high pressure coils of the heater, the coils ruptured, resulting in over-pressure to the shell of the vessel. The firebox and firebox flange blew off and the vessel moved several feet, knocking the man against the christmas tree. The man sustained head and shoulder injuries.

To prevent a recurrence of this type of accident the operator is taking the following action:

1. Bypassing all line heaters which are not required for production purposes.

2. X-ray inspecting, on a yearly schedule, all coils in heaters in service. Results of the inspection will be examined by the operations engineer who will make recommendations for any repairs necessary.

3. Initiating a water treating program to control external corrosion of heater coils.

[signed] D.J. Bourgeois for

D.W. Solanas

Oil and Gas Supervisor

Field Operations

Gulf of Mexico Area