Investigation Report
Explosion and Fires Aboard Liftboat Brazos Following Well Test
08-11-2024 1910 VR 170 Fire, Explosion, Incident >$25,000, Required Muster, Injury Requiring Evacuation - LTA (>3 days)
- BSEE
- Investigation Report
- Unknown
- ExplosionFireFunctional safetyHydrocarbon releaseMechanical failure
- Fluid transferInspection and maintenance
- Gas detectorStorage tanksValve
- Evacuation, escape and rescueFunctional testingJob safety analysisOperating and work procedures
- Upstream oil and gas
- Vessel
Summary
BSEE investigates an explosion and fires aboard liftboat Brazos following a well test, injuring two workers. Gas escaped through inadequately secured tank hatches and entered a diesel generator. Findings address deteriorated seals, failed automatic air-intake shutdown, nitrogen-assisted separator draining, missing procedures and inadequate job safety analysis.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Fire; fire safety.
Classifications: Functional safety; safety instrumented systems; SIS.
Classifications: Hydrocarbon release; hydrocarbon leak; oil and gas release.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Fluid transfer; fluid loading; fluid offloading.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Gas detector; gas monitor; gas detection instrument.
Classifications: Storage tanks; atmospheric tanks.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Evacuation, escape and rescue; EER; escape and rescue.
Classifications: Functional testing; function test.
Classifications: Job safety analysis; JSA; job hazard analysis; JHA.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.