Offshore Rig Fire and Gas Pipeline Rupture in Fourchon, Louisiana

Strategic Insights -

A rowan Cos. Inc. offshore rig caught fire after one of its legs ruptured a natural gas pipeline approximately three miles south of Fourchon, Louisiana. Thirty-six crew members were safely evacuated to shore, but one person remained missing as of late Friday. The upper deck of the rig, Rowan Odessa, suffered substantial damage. The fire was extinguished after three to four hours. The ruptured pipeline segment was isolated, and the leak was stopped. A second rig, the Rowan New Orleans, was en route to aid in the damage assessment.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Rowan Odessa offshore rig experienced a fire after one of its legs ruptured a 16-inch-diameter gas pipeline belonging to Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. on Friday.
  • Thirty-six crew members were evacuated to shore safely, but one person remained missing as of late Friday.
  • The upper deck of the Rowan Odessa rig suffered substantial damage in the fire.
  • The fire was extinguished within three to four hours, and the ruptured pipeline segment was isolated.
  • Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. shut in the ruptured line, curtailing 79 MMcfd of throughput on the 100 MMcfd-capacity line.
  • The company could not determine when transmission would resume on the ruptured line.
  • The Rowan New Orleans rig was en route to the site to aid in the damage assessment.
  • The evaluation of the damage should be completed by Wednesday.
  • The Rowan Odessa rig was preparing to be stacked offshore before the incident occurred.

Statistics:

  • 36 crew members were evacuated from the Rowan Odessa rig to shore.
  • 1 person remained missing as of late Friday.
  • The fire burned for 3-4 hours before being extinguished.
  • 79 MMcfd of throughput on the gas pipeline was curtailed due to the rupture.
  • The capacity of the ruptured gas pipeline was 100 MMcfd.
  • The rowan New Orleans rig was being moved from Sabine Pass to the site of the fire to aid in the initial damage assessment.
  • The damage assessment should be completed by Wednesday.
  • The Rowan Odessa rig's upper deck suffered substantial damage in the fire.

Sources:

  • Rowan Cos. Inc. spokesman
  • Frieda de la Morena, spokeswoman for Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co.