Degreaser Fire
Effective Date: 2/13/1985
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 133
February 13, 1985
OCS Operations Safety Alert
Degreaser Fire
A small fire recently occurred on a production platform in the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf.
The fire was the result of attempting to clean a natural gas compressor, which had not cooled down sufficiently, using a degreaser having a low flash point. The compressor had been shut down to cool for 45 minutes before the cleaning operation began. The employee proceeded to pour 5 gallons of degreaser mixed with oil on the engine. The mix ignited upon contact with the hot surface on the bottom part of the engine under the exhaust manifold and turbocharger at the No. 1 power cylinder. The fire was controlled and extinguished within 2 to 3 minutes by two hand-held dry chemical fire extinguishers. There were no injuries and the damage was minimal.
In order to prevent a recurrence of this type of accident, the operator will insist that employees use soap and water solution to clean hot engine surfaces.
[signed] D.W. Solanas
Regional Supervisor
Rules and Production
Gulf of Mexico OCS Region