Sunday, April 26, 2015

ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REPORT- ENERGY XXI GOM, LLC: OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSEL (OSV) STRUCK AN UNMANNED ENERGY XXI PRODUCTION PLATFORM LOCATED AT OCSG 1443










INVESTIGATION FINDINGS

At approximately 0430 hours on January 23, 2015, an offshore supply vessel (OSV) struck an unmanned Energy XXI production platform located at OCSG 1443, South Timbalier 27 IA.  

Bordelon Marine’s DP2 offshore supply vessel (OSV) Connor Bordelon (a 260-foot vessel) was reportedly allided with a natural gas platform, located south of Port Fourchon jetties.  Port Fourchon is Louisiana’s southernmost port, located on the southern tip of Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, on the Gulf of Mexico.  At the time of the incident, there were 20 personnel on board the vessel, but no injuries were reported.

As a result of the incident the vessel was taking on water and hydrocarbons were burning on the surface of the water next to the fixed platform”.
Ninety percent of the structure was destroyed as a result of the collision and subsequent fire. Three vessels in the area responded and assisted in extinguishing the fire. 

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) were notified. Prior to the accident there were three producing gas lift wells on the structure, with an average total daily production of 92 barrels of oil, 93 barrels of water, and 115 million cubic feet (mcf) of gas per day.

LIST THE PROBABLE CAUSE(S) OF ACCIDENT:
Awaiting USCG investigative findings.

LIST THE CONTRIBUTING CAUSE(S) OF ACCIDENT:
Awaiting USCG investigative findings.


LIST THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
During the first 1-2 weeks immediately following the accident, BSEE inspectors routinely flew over the site to monitor minor sheening and gas bubbling. 

Also, the District supervisors held telephone conferences and office meetings regularly with Energy XXI Regulatory personnel concerning ongoing and future debris clean-up, diving, and abandonment operation plans and procedures. 

On March 3, 2015, the mobile jack-up rig Hercules 205 arrived on location for plug and abandonment operations and is presently on location. 

The Hercules 205 is a 200 ft. jackup managed by drilling contractor Hercules Offshore. 

This standard MC jackup is rated for a maximum total drilling depth of roughly 20,000 ft. and can accommodate a crew of approximately 60 men. 

Built on a Bethlehem 200-MC design template, this rig was constructed at the Bethlehem shipyard in the US. The jackup was delivered in 1979. 

The Hercules 205, secured a contract extension with EXXI in the GOM until 4/5/15 at a reduced rate of $70k/d from $102k/d.

The USCG is continuing its investigation into the cause(s) of the accident.

PROPERTY DAMAGED:
South Timbalier 27 IA structure and all wells and equipment onboard

NATURE OF DAMAGE:
Destroyed

RECOMMENDATIONS TO PREVENT RECURRENCE NARRATIVE:
Awaiting USCG investigative findings.

POSSIBLE OCS VIOLATIONS RELATED TO ACCIDENT:
No

SPECIFY VIOLATIONS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY CONTRIBUTING. NARRATIVE:
The Houma District has no recommendations for the Regional Office. All BSEE-required safety devices performed as designed. Awaiting USCG investigative findings.