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.