Fire update: gas stopped and flames reduced at Walter well - Decomworld

Posted - July 26, 2013 - By Rod Sweet - Decomworld

Jul 26, 2013

Jul 26, 2013

Jul 26, 2013

Jul 26, 2013

The flow of gas under pressure has stopped at the burning Walter Oil & Gas Corporation well in the Gulf of Mexico, and the rig fire has decreased to a small flame, BSEE reports.
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has confirmed that the flow of natural gas under pressure stopped at the burning Walter Oil & Gas Corporation well at South Timbalier Block 220 in the Gulf of Mexico.

The gas flow was feeding a fire on the rig, operated by Hercules Offshore, and the fire has decreased to a small flame, BSEE said.

The derrick and drill floor structure of the Hercules 265 rig had collapsed due to the fire which started 10:45pm on Tuesday, 23 July. The natural gas leak was reported that morning.

The rig is located 55 miles offshore Louisiana in a water depth of 154 feet.

BSEE said work continues to secure the well, and all options are being considered for the most efficient and safe path forward.

Walter submitted to BSEE an application for a permit to drill a relief well, which includes proposals for the cement and casing programs. BSEE engineers are currently evaluating the permit, and BSEE continues to review and approve all operational plans and procedures related to the response.

There are currently firefighting and other marine vessels on site involving personnel from Walter, Hercules, Wild Well Control, other professional engineering contractors, and relevant federal agencies. At present, response personnel are conducting aerial observations and monitoring the situation.

The 225-foot Coast Guard Cutter Cypress is onsite to assess the situation and enforce the 500-meter security zone around the rig.

Preliminary visual inspection of the area this morning indicated that the structural integrity of the rig remains intact.

A slight sheen was detected on the water's surface and is dissipating quickly. Air and gas monitoring equipment is being deployed around the perimeter of the well location to help ensure operations to secure the well remain safe.

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