Inspection Detail
Inspection: 301989471 - Quantum Production Services, Inc.
Inspection Information - Office: Baton Rouge Area Office
Site Address:
Quantum Production Services, Inc.
Well Em 22-1 Off Hwy 113
Pitkin, LA 70656
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 97, Hessmer, LA 71341
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:1389
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 04/17/1998
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 12/10/1998
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 361129406 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Current Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Initial Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $1,500 | $0 | $1,500 |
| Current Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $450 | $0 | $450 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Other | 19040008 | 08/31/1998 | 09/11/1998 | $450 | $1,500 | $0 | I - Informal Settlement |
Investigation Summary
On March 4, 1998, Employees #1 through #3, of Sonat Exploration, were at the Temple 22 well location near Pitkin, LA. There were also 16 gravity storage tanks for crude oil and wastewater at the facility, and natural gas was recovered through vapor recovery units for future sale. This was a three-phase separation facility that had been put into operation in December, 1997. Prior to the accident, Employees #1 through #3 were involved in bringing a nearby well on line. This required they purge air from the 6 in. diameter pipeline using gas, water, and oil, which was passing through the line at approximately 1,000 lb pressure. The stream was being directed to gravity storage tanks; the other compressor/separator equipment, with its safety devices, was bypassed. Valves on one of the vapor recovery units were open when the work began at approximately 5:00 p.m. Shortly before the accident occurred, the valves were apparently closed, which allowed the stream to enter an atmospheric vapor recovery unit. This unit soon became overpressurized and exploded, igniting a fire. Employees #1 through #3 died as a result of burns suffered in the accident.
Keywords: BURN, UNSECURED, WORK RULES, FIRE, EXPLOSION, HIGH PRESSURE, VALVE, OIL WELL SERVICING, PRESSURE RELEASE
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 301989471 | Fatality | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Occupation not reported | ||
| 2 | 301989471 | Fatality | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Occupation not reported | ||
| 3 | 301989471 | Fatality | Burn/Scald(Heat) | Occupation not reported |
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