ACCIDENT
INVESTIGATION REPORT- SANDRIDGE ENERGY OFFSHORE: EMPLOYEE INJURY DUE TO
UNEXPECTED WAVE ACTION
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS
At approximately 22:30 hours on 17 September 2014, an employee
for Quality Construction & Production (QCP) suffered an ankle injury during
abandonment operations of Well A002 for McMoRan Oil & Gas LLC (McMoRan) at
the South Marsh Island (SMI) Block 147A platform operated by Fieldwood Energy
(Fieldwood).
McMoRan contracted QCP and several other construction companies
to remove nine conductor casings at the SMI-147A platform. The procedures employed for the removal of
the SMI-147A conductor casings were as follows: 1) install support beams for
the conductor casing at the Jacket Level located at +13 feet (ft) above water
line; 2) cut a shackle hole in the conductor casing and install a 55-ton
shackle at the Cellar Deck situated +46 ft above the water line; 3) rig up
crane and pull tension on conductor casing; 4) cut conductor casing at the +13
Jacket Level and pull to Main Deck; 5) burn hole in top of conductor casing at
Main Deck and insert flat pin through side of conductor casing; 6) lower
conductor casing to rest on the +13 Jacket Level support beams and change out
long sling for a shorter sling; 7) pull up on conductor casing between 10 to 20
ft and pin at the +13 Jacket Level; 8) cut conductor casing at the +13 Jacket
Level; and 9) remove 80 foot section of conductor casing to the material barge.
The injury was sustained by the QCP employee when he was
assisting with the installation of the flat pin into the Well A002 conductor
casing as it was being held by the derrick barge crane with assistance from the
platform crane. An unforeseen wave
action caused a shift in tension on the derrick barge crane and the flat pin slid
out striking the left ankle of the QCP employee. The injured QCP employee walked up to the
living quarters for medical attention by placing ice on his left ankle to
reduce swelling. The following day on 18
September 2014, increased swelling and bruising of the left ankle was observed,
therefore, the injured QCP employee was transported by a crew boat to the shore
for medical attention.
On 19 September 2014, the injured QCP employee was treated at a
medical clinic but was referred to an Orthopedist for further evaluation. On 20 September 2014, an
Orthopedist determined that the injured QCP employee sustained
a hairline fracture in his left ankle and was treated by putting a hard splint
boot over the injured left ankle. The
Orthopedist released the injured QCP employee to full duty; however, he did not
return to the SMI-147A platform, but was assigned to work at QCP's shop until
his left ankle healed.
According to the McMoRan Incident Investigation Report, the
probable cause of the accident was attributed to the derrick barge crane's balance
and tension forces on the load that shifted due to an unexpected wave action.
The McMoRan Incident Investigation Report and BSEE findings
attributed the contributing cause for the accident to an unforeseen
weather-related wave action event that resulted in the flat pin being dislodged
from the conductor casing striking the IP who was in the area providing
assistance.
LIST THE PROBABLE
CAUSE(S) OF ACCIDENT:
According to the McMoRan Incident Investigation Report, the
probable cause of the accident was attributed to the derrick barge crane's
balance and tension forces on the load that shifted due to an unexpected wave
action.
LIST THE CONTRIBUTING
CAUSE(S) OF ACCIDENT:
The McMoRan Incident Investigation Report and BSEE findings
attributed the contributing cause for the accident to an unforeseen
weather-related wave action event that resulted in the flat pin being dislodged
from the conductor casing striking the IP who was in the area providing
assistance.
LIST THE ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION:
PROPERTY DAMAGED: No property was damaged during this
incident
NATURE OF DAMAGE:
SPECIFY VIOLATIONS
DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY CONTRIBUTING. NARRATIVE: None