When we consider oil rig explosions at sea, we think about fireplace, lethal blasts, and oil slicks. Indeed, engaged on oil rigs and offshore platforms is kind of dangerous, given there have been greater than 1500 deaths on oil rigs within the U.S between 2008 and 2017. The variety of casualties in these services worldwide is way larger.
Also, one should not neglect that it’s not simply the demise tolls but additionally the life-threatening accidents that women and men who work on these constructions can undergo. Luckily, elevated emphasis on security measures and higher danger administration and evaluation have made offshore rig disasters much less widespread at the moment than they had been just a few years in the past.
Additionally, it’s not solely such disasters but additionally the dangerous life on an oil rig amidst harsh climate, tough seas, and being away from household that’s the most difficult for all those that work on these offshore constructions.
This article will talk about the deadliest oil rig explosions and their impression.
In the method, we’ll realise that these incidents had been a consequence of awful tools design, improper implementation of emergency procedures, human carelessness, and a scarcity of correct protocol enforcement.
1. Piper Alpha, North Sea
When it involves the most important offshore oil rig catastrophe, the Piper Alpha Blast tops the checklist. The huge explosions on the Piper Alpha offshore oil platform in 1988 claimed 167 lives.
The explosion’s impression will be ascertained from the truth that it broken your complete facility and triggered a whopping $1.4 billion loss. Not to say that it took round 21 days to regulate the hearth.
Piper Alpha produced greater than 300 barrels of oil each day, accounting for 10% of the UK’s whole crude oil manufacturing. The platform was delivered to the placement in 1976, and 4 years later, it started to supply pure fuel, too.
It was one of many largest offshore oil platforms within the United Kingdom then and probably the most worthwhile.
Sadly, the incident may have been averted if the communication between the morning and night workers had been clear.
The oil rig exploded on July 6, 1988, after fuel leaked from a condensate pipe.
As a part of common upkeep, the injection pump’s security cowl was eliminated and sealed with flanges in the meanwhile as work was nonetheless in progress.
Per directions, the pump needed to be off; nevertheless, after a shift change, the night shift staff switched it on, leading to a fuel leakage from its momentary cowl. This led to huge blasts wherein simply 61 folks survived.
2. Ekofisk Bravo Blowout
Ekofisk is a big oil discipline within the North Sea that the Phillips Petroleum Company found in 1969. In April 1977, the Bravo rig skilled a sudden blowout, resulting in a big oil spill.
A reddish-brownish slurry-like liquid gushed out into the air over the rig. This accident resulted from an incorrectly fitted blowout preventer or security valve.
All 112 staff had been rescued, however over 201,000 barrels of oil had been launched into the North Sea in per week earlier than it might be managed.
There had been explosions and fireplace on the platform, however no one died, fortunately.
Harsh climate and fuel leakages prevented efforts to cease the oil and fuel leakage, however victory was lastly achieved on April 30, 1977.
3. C.P. Baker Accident, Gulf of Mexico
The Barge C.P. Baker was concerned in drilling operations within the Gulf of Mexico when the tragic incident occurred, killing 21 and injuring 22.
The barge was contracted for drilling within the Eugene Island oil discipline within the US Exclusive Economic Zone.
In the early hours of June 30, 1964, the vessel skilled a blast, after which water entered via its decks. It misplaced energy and caught fireplace minutes later.
There had been some explosions, and in half an hour, the vessel capsized. There had been 43 crew members, of which 22 saved themselves. They jumped from the vessel into the open waters in an try to avoid wasting their lives.
The search and rescue mission declared that eight had been killed and 13 went lacking.
4. Alexander L. Kielland, North Sea
This oil rig catastrophe was the results of a poor welding job. Sadly, 123 folks died after the Alexander L.Kielland platform overturned in 1980.
When the incident occurred, the rig was owned by Stavanger Drilling Company and operated by Philips Petroleum.
This semi-submersible platform housed the employees of the Edda oil rig close to Scotland on the Norwegian continental shelf.
The accident occurred on March 27, 1980, when the wind pace was round 45 miles an hour and the waves had been 40 ft excessive. The floating rig was held in place by six anchor cables till the employees had been alarmed by a sound, solely to grasp later that 5 cables anchor cables had snapped.
The rig was on the mercy of the tough sea, and only one anchor cable held it down, however in useless. The highly effective storm swayed the rig because it tilted 30 levels, and after 20 minutes, the final cable additionally broke, resulting in the platform’s capsizing.
Most rig staff didn’t evacuate the platform as a result of poor command methods. The rig had 7 lifeboats, every accommodating 50 folks and 20 rafts. However, because the rig capsized, there was no time; solely a lifeboat and a pair of rafts might be lowered into the waters.
Just 89 of the 212 staff survived, and most drowned when the platform turned the other way up within the waters. The official investigation concluded that the incident resulted from a fatigue crack attributable to a 6 mm broad poor welding job.
5. Enchova Platform, Brazil
This catastrophe unfolded in August 1984 in Brazil after a blowout resulted in flames and a large blast on the Enchova platform, which Petrobras operated.
The majority of staff had been rescued by helicopter and lifeboats, however 42 folks died throughout the rescue efforts. The lifeboat couldn’t be lowered, so 36 died, and 6 misplaced their lives after they jumped into the waters. Hanging mid-air, the boat crashed into the waters as soon as its cables broke.
Another incident occurred on the platform in April 1988, when a effectively was engulfed in flames whereas work was underway to remodel it to help pure fuel manufacturing.
The fireplace destroyed the platform’s topside, however a close-by vessel saved everybody onboard.
The fireplace on the platform continued for 30 days and might be managed solely after reduction wells had been drilled. Ultimately, the rig was utterly destroyed, and nearly one and a half years after the tragedy, a brand new platform started manufacturing.
6. Mumbai High Explosion, Arabian Sea
This incident occurred about 160 km west of Mumbai in 2005 and claimed the lives of twenty-two folks.
The Mumbai High North oil and fuel manufacturing platform was operated by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, which was owned by the Indian authorities.
On 27 July 2005, a fireplace began on the platform after vessel Samudra Suraksha collided with the rig, rupturing a lot of its pipes.
Massive waves pushed the vessel in the direction of the rig. As a results of the impression, fuel leakage occurred, resulting in a fireplace on the platform. The flames destroyed the multipurpose vessel and one other rig drilling within the neighborhood.
There was additionally a big oil spill, which negated the manufacturing of 1000’s of barrels & 4.3 million m3 of fuel each day. A brand new rig started operation on the website in 2012.
7. Usumacinta Platform catastrophe
Kab 101 was a light-production oil platform operated by Mexican oil firm PEMEX. It lay 26 km off the Tabasco coast.
On 23 October 2007, a collision between the Usumacinta jackup rig and this platform claimed 22 lives within the Gulf of Mexico’s Campeche Bay.
PEMEX had contracted the jack-up rig, and it was being moved to the place Kab 101 was situated to finish the drilling work of effectively Kab 103 when the incident occurred.
The seas had been tough, and a strong storm developed, with winds blowing at 130 km per hour and waves as excessive as 8 m.
The rig quickly broke free and was on the mercy of the waves when it struck the rig Kab 101.
Hence, leakage began, and security valves on the platform’s 2 manufacturing valves needed to be closed. However, staff couldn’t seal them completely, and the leaks continued and ignited.
Amidst the huge waves, 73 staff evacuated the ability in 2 lifeboats, finally capsizing. During the incident, 21 folks died, and 1 went lacking.
Two extra fireplace incidents had been reported the next month however had been introduced underneath management with none casualties.
8. P-36 Oil rig explosion, Brazil
Petrobras 36, or P-36, was the world’s largest floating semi-submersible oil platform earlier than it sank on 20 March 2001.
It operated within the Ronador Oil Field, round 130 km off the coast of Brazil, and produced 84,000 barrels of crude oil each day.
On the morning of 15 March 2001, 2 explosions within the aft starboard column close to the emergency drain tank shocked the employees.
The two blasts resulted from overpressure and ignition of the leaking hydrocarbon vapours. During the accident, there have been 175 folks on the platform, of which 11 died. After the explosions, the rig listed sufficient to trigger down-flooding.
Salvage and rescue groups labored over the weekend to avoid wasting the rig by blowing nitrogen and compressed air into the tanks and expelling water, however they needed to depart the rig as a result of worsening climate circumstances.
The platform in the end sank on March 20, 5 days after the blasts, in 1200 m of water with round 1500 tonnes of crude oil onboard.
9. Platform A, Santa Barbara
An explosion on Platform A, an offshore oil drilling rig, on January 28, 1969, led to one of many worst oil spills on this planet.
Union Oil’s Platform A was in 188ft of water, about six miles off the coast of Santa Barbara. It served the Dos Cuadros Oil Field.
The Santa Barbara Oil Spill occurred in 1969 within the Santa Barbara Channel, close to Santa Barbara, Southern California.
As a outcome, greater than 4 million gallons of crude oil had been launched into the Pacific Ocean.
The oil polluted the seashores of Southern California, impacting the shoreline from Goleta to Ventura and the coast of the 4 northern Channel islands.
Marine life was additionally impacted, and three,500 seabirds died, as did many dolphins, sea lions, and elephant seals. Public stress led to the passing of many environmental legislations within the years that adopted.
It was the most important oil spill within the U.S on the time and is now mentioned to be the third largest after the Deepwater Horizon and the Exxon Valdez Spills.
10. Explosion on Deepwater Horizon Rig
A blast on the Deepwater Horizon Rig triggered one of many largest oil spills in 2010 and killed 11 staff out of 126.
Deepwater Horizon operated in deep waters and was a semi-submersible rig for drilling operations.
The incident occurred on 20 April 2010, when fuel blew out from a effectively, resulting in an explosion on the rig.
The rig burned for 2 days after which sank on twenty second April.
Around 1000 barrels of oil had been launched within the Gulf of Mexico each day. After 87 days, the effectively was lastly capped.
BP spent round 14 billion {dollars} on clean-up within the subsequent 5 years, and because of the Deepwater Horizon catastrophe, it needed to spend over 56 billion {dollars} in whole.
11. Bohai 2 catastrophe, China
This catastrophe occurred in 1979 and took the lives of 72 out of the 76 individuals who had been on the platform.
It occurred in Bohai Gulf, off the Chinese coast, when a towing vessel was transferring the rig amid stormy climate. Strong winds broke the platform’s ventilator pump, inflicting a puncture gap within the deck, which led to flooding.
The platform grew to become unstable, and worsening climate led to its capsizing. The accompanying tow vessel was unable to rescue the employees on time. They additionally didn’t know what to do as a result of they lacked emergency evacuation coaching and didn’t know how you can use lifesaving gear correctly.
Investigation into the incident revealed a failure to correctly stow the deck tools earlier than towing the platform. The towing process for dangerous climate was additionally not adopted. The sunken rig was salvaged in 1981.
12. Ocean Ranger, Canada
The incident occurred within the North Atlantic Sea off Newfoundland, Canada, on 15 Feb 1982, claiming the lives of 84 staff.
The Rig, owned by Ocean Drilling and Exploration Company, was employed by Canada’s Mobil Oil to drill at Hibernia Field. The rig may function 1500 ft beneath the water and drill as much as 25,000 ft under the seabed.
However, it capsized throughout a strong storm with winds blowing at 190 km/h and waves as excessive as 20 m. It was discovered {that a} porthole window was damaged, and water gushed inside, which triggered the ballast management panel to malfunction.
Though crew members rushed to avoid wasting their lives, only a single lifeboat with 36 folks might be lowered, and of the 84 who drowned, 46 had been staff of Mobil Oil.
13. Drillship Seacrest, South China Sea
The drillship sinking accident, which killed 91, is alleged to be one of many worst maritime disasters. It occurred on November 3, 1989, throughout a powerful storm within the Thailand Gulf, ensuing from miscalculations and carelessness.
The ship had operated within the area since 1980 to drill fuel wells for its proprietor, Unocal Corporation.
The ship capsized when excessive waves lashed towards it, although it was held by eight anchor cables changed by new ones in summer season.
The rig had been going through the storm since October, so work was going as regular. It was close to Bangkok and drilling within the Platong discipline when it went lacking. A rescue helicopter noticed it half sunk on November 5, 1989.
According to sources, every thing occurred so shortly that the crew members couldn’t ask for assist. It was later revealed that the rig was not seaworthy and had many points. Just six folks survived the catastrophe.
14. West Delta 32 Disaster, Gulf of Mexico
Oil Platform, West Delta 32, was engulfed in flames on the morning of November 16, 2012. According to sources, about 24 staff had been on the platform when the incident occurred, 11 of whom suffered accidents and a pair of went lacking.
The explosion occurred when restore and upkeep work was finished on the platform. The staff minimize a pipe utilizing a blow torch, and the resultant sparks got here into contact with containers having oil.
Some argue that welding work was not happening when the hearth started.
Later, information studies revealed an oil spill involving 4 to 16 gallons of oil launched into the Gulf of Mexico.
15. Montara Platform Disaster, Timor Sea
A blowout from this platform led to one of many worst oil spills in Australia. On August 21, 2009, an oil slick gushed from the Montara platform.
The leakage continued for 3 months however was managed after the effectively was coated with mud.
The Montara Field lies off the coast of Kimberley, 430 miles from Darwin. When the hearth unfold, round 69 staff had been rescued from the rig.
An offshore development vessel with a large crane was known as for salvage, which took a number of days because the particles needed to be eliminated, and clean-up was additionally undertaken.
Supervisors and Managers related to the incident had been faraway from their positions after it was decided that security measures weren’t adopted correctly.
You may additionally wish to read-
- Main Reasons that Lead to Oil Rig Accidents
- Life On An Oil Rig – Do You Know What It Takes?
- 10 Major Oil Rigs In The Gulf Of Mexico
- Types of Marine Jobs: Oil Rig Roughneck
- An Oil Rig Converted right into a Hotel
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The data contained on this web site is for basic data functions solely. While we endeavour to maintain the knowledge updated and proper, we make no representations or warranties of any sort, specific or implied, concerning the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the web site or the knowledge, merchandise, providers, or associated graphics contained on the web site for any function. Any reliance you place on such data is subsequently strictly at your personal danger.
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About Author
Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid author, possessing immaculate analysis and modifying abilities. Author of a number of tutorial papers, she has additionally labored as a contract author, producing many technical, inventive and advertising and marketing items. A real aesthete at coronary heart, she loves books a bit of greater than the rest.
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