Quick update to this post: On MSNBC just now, it was reported that this isn’t a “rig” like the Deepwater Horizon rig. It is a platform. Headline was edited to reflect the update.
The hurricane situation should add to the concerns exponentially.
How’s that drill, baby, drilly thing workin’ out for ya?
Via e-mail:
An offshore oil rig has exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, west of the site of the April blast that caused the massive oil spill.
Seven helicopters, two airplanes and four boats are en route to the site, about 80 miles south of Vermilion Bay along the central Louisiana coast.
The Coast Guard said initial reports indicated all 13 crew members were in the water. One was injured, but there were no deaths.
More soon at http://www.latimes.com
The Department of Homeland Security said the platform, known as Vermilion Oil Platform 380, was owned by Mariner Energy (NYSE:ME) of Houston. DHS said it was not producing oil and gas.
[...]
Ben-Iesau says some of those from the rig were spotted in emergency flotation devices.
Mariner Energy focuses on oil and gas exploration and production company focused on the Gulf of Mexico. In April, Apache Corp. (NYSE:APA) , another independent petroleum company, announced plans to buy Mariner in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $3.9 billion, including the assumption of about $1.2 billion of Mariner’s debt. That deal is pending.
Apache spokesman Bob Dye said the rig is in shallow water.
Responding to an oil spill in shallow water is much easier than in deepwater, where crews depend on remote-operated vehicles access equipment on the sea floor.
UPDATE: Awaiting Coast Guard report about any possible environmental damage.
UPDATE via e-mail:
NEW ORLEANS (AP) Coast Guard: Mile-long oil sheen spreading from site of burning platform in the Gulf off La.
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