Wait, what?? Another rig exploded?

[Van]

Damn if it didn't happen again in the same area.

Oil sheen spreading from Gulf platform explosion


Oil sheen spreading from rig blast site
Gulf oil platform explodes, burning off La. coast

Updated: Thursday, 02 Sep 2010, 3:16 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 02 Sep 2010, 11:27 AM EDT

* ALAN SAYRE,Associated Press Writer

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Another oil rig exploded and caught fire Thursday off the Louisiana coast, spreading a mile-long oil sheen in the Gulf of Mexico west of the site of BP's massive spill. All 13 crew members were rescued.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Bill Coklough said the sheen, about 100 feet wide, was spotted near the platform. Firefighting vessels were battling the flames.

The company that owns the rig, Houston-based Mariner Energy, did not know what caused the blast, which was reported by a helicopter flying over the area.

Crew members were found floating in the water, huddled together in survival outfits called "gumby suits."

"These guys had the presence of mind, used their training to get into those gumby suits before they entered the water. It speaks volumes to safety training and the importance of it because, beyond getting off the rig, there's all the hazards of the water such as hypothermia," Coast Guard spokesman Chief Petty Officer John Edwards said.

 

[navychop]

This is not an uncommon event. The problem is if it blows out and releases huge quantities of oil into the gulf. THAT is much less common.

I can tell you one thing: Fishing off those rigs is some of the best you'll ever have in your life. And if you don't like blue fish, try soaking it overnight in milk to remove much of the strong taste.

BTW, hypothermia is not a "big" problem in the Gulf of Mexico. Possible, but not the danger it is in many other places.

 

[Van]

Thats what I have heard about the rigs and fishing and the commonality of rig explosions being so common but what is good about this is that its not in deep water and everyone survived.

 

[Bobby]

Coast Guard says no oil seen....

 

[digiblur]

Here's the real story... and no it wasn't a rig. It was a production platform.. huge differences!

RIGZONE - UPDATE: Platform Explodes Offshore Louisiana

The media just wants to blow this thing out of proportion. No big deal...they had a little fire.

 

[Bobby]

What's new! But, in all fairness, if the media didn't report this the population would go nuts and start screaming conspiracy.

 

[navychop]

Just that part of the population that does not live near the gulf and knows about these things.