Heater Explodes -- Man Injured
Effective Date: 10/14/1975
 | 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