Fire -- Hydraulic Hose Ruptures
Effective Date: 3/23/1976
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 039
March 23, 1976
OCS Operations Safety Alert
Fire -- Hydraulic Hose Ruptures
A fire recently occurred on an offshore production platform when leakinghydraulic fluid was ignited by a turbine exhaust.
A line furnishing hydraulic power to a hydraulic motor on the cooling fan ofa turbine-driven compressor ruptured and hydraulic fluid sprayed on anuninsulated portion of the turbine exhaust and ignited.
A fire sensor activated automatic extinguisherss and personnel manned otherextinguishers. The fire was extinguished immediately and only minor damage tothe platform resulted.
A fusible plug in the platform safety shut-in system was burned out by thefire, but the platform shut-in system failed to activate. Adjustments to thesystem have been made to insure its shut-in capability.
To prevent a recurrence of this accident the operator is taking the followingaction:
1. Hydraulic hoses and couplings will be inspected for defects and properinstallation following all replacements.
2. The exhaust insulation will be inspected to determine if its integrity canbe improved.
[signed] D.J. Bourgeois
for D.W. Solanas
Oil and Gas Supervisor
Field Operations
Gulf of Mexico Area