Inspection Detail

Inspection: 301989471 - Quantum Production Services, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Baton Rouge Area Office

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