Bud's Offshore Energy (BOE)

Fire on Mariner Platform, Vermilion 380 from CultureMap.com

Summary of what we know:

-Mariner Energy production platform in Vermilion Block 380 in the Gulf of Mexico

-13 workers rescued; no reported casualties

– light sheen one mile long by 100′ wide was reported (the Coast Guard subsequently said there was no spill)

-fire was extinguished Thursday afternoon

-recent production rate reported to be 9.2 million cubic feet of gas per day and 1400 barrels of oil per day

-water depth of approximately 340,’ about 100 miles offshore

-fire reported to have started on a platform deck away from the wellheads at 0930 CDT

-crew reported to have been painting and sandblasting at the time.

-fire reported to have been from flammable material in storage on the platform

-wells have been shut-in (presumably ESD actuated subsurface safety valves)

-The Coast Guard and BOEMRE will investigate

–Representatives Henry A. Waxman, Bart Stupak, and Edward J. Markey from the House Energy and Commerce Committee sent a letter to Mariner requesting a briefing by Sept. 10.

picture from NationalGeographic.com