Fire -- Fuel Hose Ruptured
Effective Date: 11/16/1976
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 052
November 16, 1976
OCS Operations Safety Alert
Fire -- Fuel Hose Ruptured
A fire recently occurred on an offshore platform drilling rig when diesel fuel ignited.
A section of hose in a fuel line near an engine was damaged by heat from a leaking exhaust and started leaking. Diesel fuel sprayed on the hot exhaust pipe and ignited. The platform production was shut in immediately by actuation of an emergency shut-down valve and the annular blowout preventer on the well being drilled was closed. Burning diesel fuel drained under the rig floor causing damage to the drawworks, crane power pack, and diesel engines. The fire was extinguished in approximately 20 minutes with no injury to personnel.
To prevent a recurrence of this accident the operator has taken the following action:
1. Fuel hoses have been replaced with metallic piping where possible.
2. Flexible hose used for vibrator loops has been located away from exhausts.
3. Exhausts have been reinspected for leakage.
[signed] D.J. Bourgeois
for D.W. Solanas
Oil and Gas Supervisor
Field Operations
Gulf of Mexico Area