Investigation Report
Drilling Mud Released During Blowout Preventer Function Testing
04-05-2007 18:00 G16641 MC/696 Pollution - Slip Joint Packer failure
- BSEE
- Investigation Report
- Unknown
- Environmental protectionHydrocarbon releaseLoss of containmentMechanical failure
- Drilling
- Upstream oil and gas
- Marine waters
Summary
Investigation of a synthetic-base drilling mud release into the Gulf of Mexico during blowout preventer function testing. Mechanical failure of the upper slip-joint packer discharged 18 barrels of mud containing 10.87 barrels of oil. Testing stopped after mud losses were noticed; the district made no recommendations.
Classifications: Environmental protection; environmental safety; pollution prevention.
Classifications: Hydrocarbon release; hydrocarbon leak; oil and gas release.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Drilling; well drilling.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Marine waters.