Oil Spill --Safety Equipment Failure
Effective Date: 1/21/1977
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 055
January 21, 1977
OCS Operations Safety Alert
Oil Spill -- Safety Equipment Failure
An oil spill occurred recently on an offshore production platform because ofmalfunctions of three safety devices.
A lead production pipeline pump transferring oil from a surge tank to apipeline shut down because of a faulty vibration switch on the gearbox. A lagpipeline pump failed to start up because the timing circuit did not allow lowengine pressure to clear the panel. This resulted in a high oil level in thesurge tank. A high liquid level shut-in device on the tank failed to operate andaccomplish platform shut-in. This failure was either because of excessive supplypressure overriding the magnetic force applied to the pilot valve or a relayvalve in the panel shut-down circuit failed to trip. Approximately twelvebarrels of oil was discharged through a gas vent line into the Gulf.
To prevent a recurrence of this accident the operator has taken the followingaction:
1. A new vibration switch has been installed on the lead pipeline pump.
2. The timing circuit on the lag pipeline pump box has been reset.
3. A new high liquid level shut-in device with an individual supply regulatorhas been installed on the surge tank.
4. The safety system panel has been modified in order that the end deviceshut-down circuit can be tested for proper operation.
[signed] D.W. Solanas
Oil and Gas Supervisor
Field Operations
Gulf of Mexico Area