2009 Civil Penalties
The goal of the OCS Civil Penalties Program is to assure safe and clean operations on the OCS. Through the pursuit, assessment, and collection of civil penalties and referrals for the consideration of criminal penalties, the program is designed to encourage compliance with OCS statutes and regulations.
2009 Civil Penalties Summary
Penalties Paid in 2009
(1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009)
|
Operator Name |
Violation and Date(s) |
Penalty Paid and |
Regulation(s) Violated |
|
Forest Oil Corp. G-2008-002 |
Accident and Pollution occurred while plugging and abandoning a well. 16-FEB-2006-20-FEB-2006 |
$440,000 6/8/2009 |
250.615(c) 250.615(c) 250.615(b) 250.602 250.616(d) 250.615(c) 250.615(c) 250.401 250.300(a) |
|
TOTAL E&P USA, Inc. G-2008-007 |
During an inspection, an open hole was discovered in the deck leading to the mud tanks. The open hole was not barricaded by guard rails. 14-FEB-2008-14-FEB-2008 |
$10,000 4/20/09 |
250.107 |
|
Beryl Oil & Gas LP (Quality Production Management) G-2008-014 |
An MMS Inspector discovered that a tubing plug in the A009 Well was leaking more than allowed. The Operator tested the tubing plug on 6/3/2008 and took no action to fix the leaking plug until the MMS inspector brought it to their attention on 6/17/2008. 03-JUN-2008 – 17-JUN-2008 |
$45,000 7/15/09 |
250.804(a) |
|
Ridgelake Energy Inc. G-2008-015 |
The surface controlled subsurface safety valve (SCSSV) for wells D-1, D-1D and D-2 and the SCSSV, which was being used as a tubing plug for well D-2D, were not being tested for leakage at the required six month testing interval. The SCSSV's were not tested for 2 consecutive testing periods. 10-DEC-2006 - 23-APR-2008 |
$8,000 3/24/09 |
250.804(a)(1) |
|
Ridgelake Energy Inc. (Island Operators Co. Inc.) G-2008-016 |
The SCSSV's for wells A001 and A002 were not being tested for leakage at the required intervals of every six months. The SCSSV's were not tested for 3 consecutive testing periods. 06-JUN-2006 - 02-APR-2008 |
$6,000 3/24/09 |
250.804(a)(1) |
|
XTO Offshore, Inc. (Island Operators Co. Inc.) G-2007-018 |
There was no grating around the departing pipeline risers, and there was no barricade to restrict the area. 05-MAY-2008 - 05-MAY-2008 |
$5,000 3/20/09 |
250.107 |
|
Petro Ventures, Inc. (Quality Production Management) G-2008-019 |
The grating on the cellar deck was corroded to the point of no longer being able to perform its designed function. The deck was not barricaded to restrict personnel entry. 19-MAY-2008 - 19-MAY-2008 |
$15,000 4/27/09 |
250.107 |
|
Hunt Oil Company G-2008-021 |
The SCSSV for Well No. 9 was bypassed and blocked out of service. 14-JUL-2008 – 25-JUL-2008 |
$120,000 7/6/09 |
250.803 |
|
Hunt Oil Company G-2008-022 |
The pressure relief valve (PSV) for the production water skimmer (MBM-6010) on the South Marsh (SM), Block 39A, platform was bypassed and blocked out of service by a closed manual block valve located under the PSV. 19-JUL-2008 – 19-JUL-2008 |
$10,000 7/6/09 |
250.803 |
|
MCX Gulf of Mexico, LLC (Grasso Production Management) G-2008-024 |
The timer for the pipeline pump was isolated by a closed block valve, rendering the pressure safety low (PSL) on the pump out of service. 03-OCT-2008 - 03-OCT-2008 |
$15,000 5/6/09 |
250.803(c) |
|
McMoRan Oil & Gas LLC G-2008-025 |
The MMS Inspector found an open hole that was not properly barricaded on the rig floor that was created when the rotary bushing was removed to work on the annular preventer. 27-MAY-2008 – 27-MAY-2008 |
$15,000 9/1/09 |
250.107 |
|
Stone Energy Corporation G-2009-002 |
Operations were not performed in a safe and workmanlike manner. Improper equipment and procedures were used to pull a plug from Well I-1, resulting in lost equipment, platform damage, and an employee sustained face and head injuries. 15-AUG-2008 - 15-AUG-2008 |
$35,000 5/12/09 |
250.107 |
|
Tarpon Operating & Development, LLC G-2009-003 |
Lifting operations were not performed in a safe and workmanlike manner. An unsecured air hoist (tugger) shifted under load, crushing the operator's hand between the tugger and a 2 inch pipe on the glymine skid. 01-OCT-2008 - 02-OCT-2008 |
$40,000 6/1/09 |
250.107 |
|
W&T Offshore, Inc. G-2009-005 |
During an annual inspection on a production platform, there was significant corrosion to the following areas: 1)handrails, 2)Bottom sections of handrails missing, 3)Sharp edges on metal supports, 4)ladder, 5)section of the sump deck, 6)diesel transfer pump supports, 7)Drain pipes below the bottom deck, 8)Liquid condensate lines, 9)corroded supports, 10)Hole in grating 17-JUL-2008 - 17-JUL-2008 |
$25,000 6/19/09 |
250.107 |
|
PetroQuest Energy, LLC G-2009-007 |
Holes in the damaged containment skid prevented the skid from properly collecting the overflow and allowed the condensate to discharge into the Gulf. 22-AUG-2008 - 22-AUG-2008 |
$35,000 5/26/09 |
250.300(b) 250.300(a) |
|
Exxon Mobil Corporation (Nabors Drilling Inc.) G-2009-008 |
An MMS Inspector observed three employees working at a height greater than 6 feet with no fall protection. 15-JAN-2009 – 15-JAN-2009 |
$40,000 7/29/09 |
250.107 |
|
Maritech Resources, Inc. (Baker Energy Inc.) G-2009-010 |
Part of the +10 deck level at the GA 343 A platform had to be taken out-of-service due to loose and very corroded grating. A portion of the supports for the grating at the +10 was so corroded that it will need to be replaced or repaired to make it safe for personnel. 03-FEB-2009-03-FEB-2009 |
$5,000 10/13/09 |
250.107 |
|
Stone Energy Corporation G-2009-016 |
A hatch opening had been left uncovered, creating a 16' x 24' hole in the grating. An employee was injured when he fell into the open hole. 02-NOV-2008 – 02-NOV-2008 |
$10,000 9/29/09 |
250.107 |
|
Exxon Mobil Corp. (ExxonMobil Production Company) G-2009-021 |
A contract employee was observed working on the edge of a deck that had no handrails. The employee was not wearing a personal flotation device or fall protection. 19-MAR-2009-19-MAR-2009 |
$20,000 11/12/09 |
250.107(a) |
|
DCOR, LLC P-2009-001 |
An estimated 20-30 BBL oil was released into the ocean from a hole that developed in shipping pump can #4. 07-DEC-2008 – 07-DEC-2008 |
$20,000 12/17/09 |
250.107(a) |
|
Total Penalties Paid: 1/1/09 - 12/31/09 20 Cases:$919,000 |
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The following acronyms are used in this table:
|
PSL |
Pressure Safety Low |
|
PSV |
Pressure Safety Valve |
|
SCSSV |
Subsurface Safety Valve |
The purpose of publishing the penalties summary is to provide information to the public on violations of special concern in OCS operations and to provide an additional incentive for safe and environmentally sound operations.