Oil Spill -- Fuel Transfer Hose Broke
Effective Date: 5/4/1977
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 063
May 4, 1977
OCS Operations Safety Alert
Oil Spill -- Fuel Transfer Hose Broke
In the last year there have been eight oil spills reported by OCS Gulf of Mexico Area operators that were the direct result of fuel transfer operations. Four of the spills were the result of equipment failure and four were the result of inattentive personnel.
The worst of these spills resulted in an estimated 300 barrels of diesel fuel being spilled into the Gulf. A motor vessel was pumping diesel to a platform rig through a 2" hose. During this operation a hose coupling parted beneath the water level. This failure went undetected for approximately two hours, thereby allowing the large quantity of diesel fuel to be pumped into the Gulf.
To prevent a recurrence of this type of accident the operator is taking the following actions:
1. All fuel transfer lines will be inspected prior to transfer operations.
2. The transfer operation will be monitored at the pumping and receiving stations until completed.
[signed] D.W. Solanas
Oil and Gas Supervisor
Field Operations
Gulf of Mexico Area