Explosion aboard production platform in Vermilion Block 380 injures one worker
An explosion took place aboard a production platform in Gulf of Mexico Vermilion Block 380, owned by Mariner Energy, about 90 miles south of Vermilion Bay. In an interview with CNN, Coast Guard Petty Officer Casey Ranel said there were 13 people aboard the rig. One worker who was injured is being transported to the Terrebonne General Medical Center in Houma Louisiana, according to Coast Guard Petty Officer Bill Colclough said.
Eight Coast Guard rescue helicopters have been dispatched to the rig location. In addition, three Coast Guard cutters — Decisive, Manta and Skip Jack — are en route, with four civilian vessels.
Associated Press reported that a commercial helicopter company reported the blast around 9:30 a.m. The platform owned by Mariner Energy is in about 400 ft of water, the Coast Guard said, and was not currently producing.
Mariner Energy is among the largest independent oil and gas companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico. At year-end 2009, the company had interests in nearly 350 Federal offshore leases, with more than 110 of those in development.
09/02/2010