Personnel Evacuates from Rig, Platform after Well Control Loss in GOM

Personnel from a rig and a platform, operating in the Gulf of Mexico, have been evacuated due to the loss of well control, according to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.

The Rowan Louisiana (350' ILS) rig is operating in Vermillion Block 356, about 108 miles southwest of Lafayette, and drilling in 256 feet of water. Operator of the block is EnVen Energy Ventures, LLC, an oil and gas exploration and development services company. EnVen is a subsidiary of Palm Energy Partners, LLC. 

“The Captioned well has been directionally drilled to an objective on SM 166 from the VR 356 A Platform. Logging while drilling tools indicated the presence of two gas zones at 1340 feet [measured depth] MD and 1,830 feet MD, both of which were anticipated in the well construction plan which was approved,” stated EnVen’s Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Garrett, to Rigzone.  

“At 2,217 feet MD, a routine wiper trip was conducted, pulling the drill string back up inside the 13-3/8-inch casing with the bit at 1,140 feet MD (77 feet inside the 13-3/8”). With bit inside casing, a routine circulation was commencing when the well began to flow. As per operational protocol, the well was put on a diverter system allowing the formation fluids to vent overboard while working to get the well killed. The well continues to flow through the diverter system while efforts kill the well continue.”

BSEE added that the adjacent platform was producing oil and gas and was shut-in. The Coast Guard sent an HU-25 Falcon crew from Corpus Christi to assess the scene, and noted that it has not yet received a request for assistance from anyone in the Gulf.

“All nonessential personnel were evacuated from the rig. Thus far, there have been no personnel incidents or accidents and no pollution as the flow is natural gas/water/sand,” Garrett added.

BSEE will investigate the incident, it stated in a press release.