NTSB Safety Recommendation P-80-018

NTSB safety recommendation P-80-018.

THE NTSB RECOMMENDS THAT THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR: ADVISE LESSEES SUBJECT TO ITS JURISDICTION UNDER 30 CFR PART 250 OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS ACCIDENT, AND DIRECT THAT THEY MARK THE LOCATION OF ALL PIPELINES WHICH MAY BE HAZARDED BY THEIR DRILLING OPERATIONS.

Priority: CLASS II

Overall Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Issued Date: 1980-03-13

Adopted Date: 1980-02-21

Overall Date Closed: 1988-05-16

Synopsis: ON JULY 15, 1979, 95 MILES SOUTHEAST OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, ON THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF (OCS) IN SHELL OIL COMPANY'S (SHELL) SOUTH PASS, BLOCK 62, FIELD, A 14-INCH SOUTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY TRANSMISSION LINE OPERATING AT A PRESSURE OF 900 PSIG WAS SNAGGED AND RUPTURED BY A GRAPPLING HOOK FROM THE ANCHOR-HANDLING VESSEL PETE TIDE II, WHILE THE VESSEL WAS GRAPPLING FOR AN ANCHOR PENDANT FROM THE SEMI SUBMERSIBLE DRILLING RIG OCEAN QUEEN. THE RESULTING EXPLOSION AND FIRE CAUSED THE DEATH OF TWO PERSONS AND INJURIES TO FOUR OTHERS. DAMAGE TOTALED OVER $1,500,000.

Probable Cause: None

Ntsbnumber: DCA79MP023

Report Number: PAR-80-01

Addressee Name: United States Department of the Interior, United States Geological Survey

Addressee Status: Closed - Acceptable Action

Addressee Date Closed: 1988-05-16

Addressee Acronym: USGS

Addressee Organization Type: G-Federal Government

Communication Date: 1988-05-16

Communication Type: Official Correspondence