Investigation Report
Drilling Mud and Water Released During Processing-Pit Fluid Transfer
09-04-2023 1320 G17565 AC 857 Pollution
- BSEE
- Investigation Report
- Unknown
- Environmental protectionHuman factorsLoss of containmentMechanical failure
- DrillingFluid transferInspection and maintenance
- Storage tanksValve
- Functional testingEnergy and process isolationOperating and work procedures
- Upstream oil and gas
- Marine waters
Summary
An investigation examines the release of approximately 24 barrels of synthetic-based drilling mud and water mixture into the Gulf of Mexico during processing-pit fluid transfer. Debris prevented two discharge valves from sealing despite closed-position indications. Findings address inadequate containment verification, residual tank fluid and absent skillet isolation; the operator proposed seawater leak checks before future operations.
Classifications: Environmental protection; environmental safety; pollution prevention.
Classifications: Human factors; human performance; ergonomics.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Drilling; well drilling.
Classifications: Fluid transfer; fluid loading; fluid offloading.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Storage tanks; atmospheric tanks.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Functional testing; function test.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Marine waters.