Investigation Report
Completion Brine Discharged Overboard During Well Completion
12-03-2008 19:30 SM/149 Pollution
- BSEE
- Investigation Report
- Unknown
- Environmental protectionLoss of containmentMechanical failure
- Pressure testing
- Storage tanksValve
- Functional testingEnergy and process isolationLockout and tagout
- Upstream oil and gas
- Marine waters
Summary
An MMS investigation examines the loss of approximately 70 barrels of completion brine into the Gulf of Mexico during well completion operations. A leaking butterfly valve admitted fluid to a pre-load tank with open valves. Recommendations address installation pressure and function testing, additional valve isolation and lockout/tagout.
Classifications: Environmental protection; environmental safety; pollution prevention.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Pressure testing; hydrostatic testing; pneumatic testing.
Classifications: Storage tanks; atmospheric tanks.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Functional testing; function test.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Lockout and tagout; LOTO; lockout/tagout.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Marine waters.