Investigation Report
Flash Fire During Natural-Gas-Driven Pipeline Pump Troubleshooting
03-07-2025 0815 G05537 SS 80 Required Evacuation - LTA>3; Fire
- BSEE
- Investigation Report
- Unknown
- FireHand and finger injuriesHydrocarbon releaseMechanical failure
- Inspection and maintenance
- HosePersonal protective equipmentProcess pipework and pipelinesPumps
- Operating and work proceduresPre-use checksPreventive maintenance
- Upstream oil and gas
- Offshore installation
Summary
BSEE investigates a flash fire during troubleshooting of a natural-gas-driven pipeline pump at Ship Shoal 80 Platform A. A loose starter exhaust fitting allowed gas accumulation, ignited by a backfire, burning two workers. Findings address maintenance, missing gloves, evacuation and startup checks; the precise origin of the backfire remained unresolved.
Classifications: Fire; fire safety.
Classifications: Hand and finger injuries; finger injury; hand injury.
Classifications: Hydrocarbon release; hydrocarbon leak; oil and gas release.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Hose; flexible hose.
Classifications: Personal protective equipment; PPE; personal protection equipment.
Classifications: Process pipework and pipelines; process piping.
Classifications: Pumps.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Pre-use checks; pre-use inspection.
Classifications: Preventive maintenance; preventative maintenance; planned maintenance.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Offshore installation; offshore platform; offshore rig.