This is what we know currently about the Mariner Energy Platform Fire, which occurred September 2, 2010 at approximately 9am CST:
Located 100 miles south of Vermillion Bay, LA the Mariner Energy Inc. platform is in relatively shallow water only 320 feet vs. the mile deep water of the BP’s notorious Deepwater Horizon Rig (which is only 200 miles east of the M.E. Platform).
13 crewmembers miraculously escaped the platform by jumping into the ocean wearing “gumby suits.” All are currently safe on terra firma. One person was reported injured.
Mariner Energy, Inc., who owns the platform, has been involved in at least 13 incidents in the Gulf of Mexico since 2006 including: safety violations, fires, and pollution citations.
The platform was collecting product from seven wells, which produced 1,400 barrels of oil a day and 9 million cubic feet of gas.
The US Coast Guard and Mariner Energy originally reported that a 1 mile long - 100 foot wide oil sheen was seen in the water near the platform, they later corrected that statement by basically saying “Uhh, never mind.”
The Mariner Energy facility is described as a platform, not a rig, because it is not currently engaged in drilling, it is however producing.
According to Patrick Cassidy, director of investor relations for Mariner Energy, “There was no blowout, no explosion, no injuries, no spill.” No doubt his eyes were darting around and he was sweating profusely when he made that statement.
There are thousands of shallow water production wells in the Gulf, and three-dozen deep-water exploration rigs like the Horizon. These wells produce about a third of America’s domestic oil.
On Thursday in Washington D.C. oil companies were lobbying the administration to lift the moratorium on offshore oil drilling, which is in effect until November 30th.
If no oil leaks from the platform the Mariner Energy, Inc. Fire story will sink into oblivion, occasionally showing up on the CNN News ticker.
Read more on Celsias:
