Tubing Blows Out of Well -- Men Injured
Effective Date: 6/23/1976
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 045
June 23, 1976
OCS Operations Safety Alert
Tubing Blows Out of Well -- Men Injured
Five men received minor injuries on an offshore platform workover rig when 600' of tubing blew out of a well.
A tubing retrievable surface controlled subsurface safety valve in the closed position was in the well at a depth of 500'. The tubing string was suspended by means of a hanger device at 600' with a tubing disconnecting mechanism located directly above it. A tubing plug was installed in the tubing string directly below the disconnecting mechanism.
Prior to removing the tubing, the pressure was bled off the tubing and casing and the blowout preventer closed. The tubing was then rotated in order to disconnect it for removal and upon disconnect the tubing blew out of the well. Five men working on the rig floor received bruises while either fleeing from the well or being struck by falling debris. The gas pressure bled off immediately.
In order to prevent a recurrence of this type of accident the operator is taking the following action:
1. The well will be completely killed before a workover begins.
2. The safety valve will be blocked open with wireline tools to prevent trapped gas between the interval of a tubing plug and the subsurface safety valve.
[signed] D.W.]Solanas
Oil and Gas Supervisor
Field Operations
Gulf of Mexico Area