[BITList] Halliburton rig worker acknowledges missing signs of well blowout as BP trial continues

[x50type]

“a disregard for the safe operation of the vessel”
“gross lack of crew training”
ct
The report found that the drilling rig was equipped with an electronic safety system designed to alert the rig crew to hazardous gas and automatically shut down certain vessel equipment to keep gas from igniting, but "reckless conduct by Transocean" allowed its crew to override the automatic functions "despite its failure to train the crew members responsible for monitoring and responding to the alarm system in a worst-case scenario."

The result was that hydrocarbons reached the deck of the rig, and "a complete loss of vessel power occurred, followed by at least two explosions and an uncontrollable fire at sea."

"A marine surveyor would find the overridden system rendered the vessel unseaworthy," the report concluded. 


He also said the rig's blowout preventer had not been recertified in nine years, "was not in compliance with federal regulations and was in a state of disrepair that affected its performance." 

That violated Cameron's preventative maintenance program, Mineral Management Service requirements and American Petroleum Institute recommended procedures, the report said.

"It was clearly not reasonably fit for its intended purpose, had been in this condition for some time, and, along with gross lack of crew training, rendered the (Deepwater Horizon) unfit for its intended service, a condition that apparently existed for years prior to the casualty," the report said.

Webster, whose testimony will continue on Thursday, said that Transocean had shown "a complete lack of maintenance, ongoing maintenance, planned maintenance. In fact, a disregard for the safe operation of the vessel." 

Halliburton rig worker acknowledges missing signs of well blowout as BP trial continues

Joseph Keith, a mud logger for Halliburton's Sperry Sun unit, testified Wednesday in the 11th day of the BP trial that he took a smoke break and missed a "kick" of natural gas an hour before the April 20, 2010 blowout of BP's Macondo well and the explosion and fire aboard the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig. And a marine safety expert testified that rig owner Transocean and its crew violated...

Read More  |  Print & PDF
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.bcn.mythic-beasts.com/pipermail/bitlist/attachments/20130314/a45cd35e/attachment.htm