Kab 101
Encyclopedia
Kab 101 is a Sea Pony-type minimum-facilities light-production oil platform
operated by Mexican
state-owned oil company PEMEX
, and installed about 16 miles (25.7 km) off the coast of Tabasco
, near the port of Dos Bocas, in 1994. The platform was designed by British
engineering firm SLP Engineering Limited. The platform also produces the wells Kab 103 and Kab 121. This platform was the site of the accident which eventually led to the death of 22 workers. Pemex would contract two independent studies and one by itself and in an exercise of transparency, post the reports on its website. On October 31, 2008, PEMEX released the result of the independent studies of the accident.
Usumacinta is moved to the location of Kab 101 to prepare for work on the well Kab 103.
October 23, 2007, 0700: The arrival of Cold Front No. 4 with winds exceeding 100 kilometres per hour (62.1 mph) causes all personnel on the rig to cease operations.
08:00 – 11:00: The Usumacinta begins moving with the 8 metres (26.2 ft) seas, because its ballast and anchor points have not been properly set.
11:30: The Usumacinta's auxiliary cover below its cantilever collides with the wellhead Kab 121, which begins leaking oil and gas.
11:40 – 13:55: The crew of the Usumacinta attempts to close the sub-surface storm valves for both Kab 101 and the leaking Kab 121, to prevent further danger to the people on board the platform. This is only temporarily successful at stopping the leak from Kab 121.
15:30: The storm valves on Kab 121 fail and hydrogen sulfide
is detected, prompting the order to evacuate the platform.
15:45: All 73 people from the platform were accounted for in the two lifeboats
, and were wearing life jackets
.
The lifeboat eventually drifted ashore east of Nuevo Campechito with nobody on board.
The next day Lifeboat #2 reached the shore west of Nuevo Progreso
upside down, with 12 survivors on top, and one survivor and four bodies inside.
On November 13, during attempts to control the leaks resulting from the accident, the well Kab 121 ignited and was brought under control the same day. On the 20th of November, Kab 121 ignited again, this time the fire destroyed the remains of the Derrick
and was controlled on December 3.
attempting to steal from the abandoned rig. This blaze was extinguished by the ships “Isla Guadalupe”, “Isla Cozumel”, “Pionero”, “Conquistador”, and "Deep Endeavour". The Mexican Navy
also sent the interceptor "Auriga" to the area at the request of PEMEX.
Oil platform
An oil platform, also referred to as an offshore platform or, somewhat incorrectly, oil rig, is a lаrge structure with facilities to drill wells, to extract and process oil and natural gas, and to temporarily store product until it can be brought to shore for refining and marketing...
operated by Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
state-owned oil company PEMEX
Pemex
Petróleos Mexicanos or Pemex is a Mexican state-owned petroleum company. As of 2010, with a total asset worth of $415.75 billion, it is the second non-publicly listed largest company in the world by total market value, and Latin America's second largest enterprise by annual revenue as of 2009...
, and installed about 16 miles (25.7 km) off the coast of Tabasco
Tabasco
Tabasco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tabasco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 17 municipalities and its capital city is Villahermosa....
, near the port of Dos Bocas, in 1994. The platform was designed by British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
engineering firm SLP Engineering Limited. The platform also produces the wells Kab 103 and Kab 121. This platform was the site of the accident which eventually led to the death of 22 workers. Pemex would contract two independent studies and one by itself and in an exercise of transparency, post the reports on its website. On October 31, 2008, PEMEX released the result of the independent studies of the accident.
Usumacinta Accident Timeline
October 21, 2007: The Jackup rigJackup rig
A jack-up rig is a type of mobile platform that is able to stand still on the sea floor, resting on a number of supporting legs. The most popular designs use 3 independent legs, although some jackups have 4 legs or more...
Usumacinta is moved to the location of Kab 101 to prepare for work on the well Kab 103.
October 23, 2007, 0700: The arrival of Cold Front No. 4 with winds exceeding 100 kilometres per hour (62.1 mph) causes all personnel on the rig to cease operations.
08:00 – 11:00: The Usumacinta begins moving with the 8 metres (26.2 ft) seas, because its ballast and anchor points have not been properly set.
11:30: The Usumacinta's auxiliary cover below its cantilever collides with the wellhead Kab 121, which begins leaking oil and gas.
11:40 – 13:55: The crew of the Usumacinta attempts to close the sub-surface storm valves for both Kab 101 and the leaking Kab 121, to prevent further danger to the people on board the platform. This is only temporarily successful at stopping the leak from Kab 121.
15:30: The storm valves on Kab 121 fail and hydrogen sulfide
Hydrogen sulfide
Hydrogen sulfide is the chemical compound with the formula . It is a colorless, very poisonous, flammable gas with the characteristic foul odor of expired eggs perceptible at concentrations as low as 0.00047 parts per million...
is detected, prompting the order to evacuate the platform.
15:45: All 73 people from the platform were accounted for in the two lifeboats
Lifeboat (rescue)
A rescue lifeboat is a boat rescue craft which is used to attend a vessel in distress, or its survivors, to rescue crewmen and passengers. It can be hand pulled, sail powered or powered by an engine...
, and were wearing life jackets
Personal flotation device
A personal flotation device is a device designed to assist a wearer, either conscious or unconscious, to keep afloat.Devices designed and approved by authorities for use by...
.
Lifeboat #1
Around 16:13 the lifeboat began to fill with water. This eventually led to the lifeboat crew becoming panicked and attempted to leave the lifeboat, in an attempt to board the M/V Morrison Tide. The lifeboat eventually capsized around 17:28, and a collision between the two lifeboats left most of Lifeboat #1's occupants drifting in the water. Two crew members from the Morrison tide were lost in rescue operations; one died from injuries and another was lost at sea. Some survivors were also rescued by the M/V Isla Del Torro.The lifeboat eventually drifted ashore east of Nuevo Campechito with nobody on board.
Lifeboat #2
This lifeboat started out with poor visibility due to the oil from the leaking well Kab 121. The hatches were opened so the helmsman could see, and to allow for ventilation due to several people complaining of dizziness inside. At 17:42 the lifeboat was struck by a huge wave, and overturned. 33 to 35 people were trapped and had to fight to escape the boat.The next day Lifeboat #2 reached the shore west of Nuevo Progreso
Nuevo Progreso
Nuevo Progreso may refer to:Guatemala* Nuevo Progreso, San MarcosMexico* Nuevo Progreso, Campeche* Nuevo Progreso, Tamaulipas* Nuevo Progreso, Veracruz* Plaza Nuevo Progreso, bullring in Guadalajara, Jalisco...
upside down, with 12 survivors on top, and one survivor and four bodies inside.
Well Control and Aftermath
An early estimate of the oil leak from Kab 121 was 422 oilbbl/d of light crude. In December 2007 Pemex estimated that 8701 barrels (1,383.3 m³) of leaked oil were recovered with another 5000 completely lost.On November 13, during attempts to control the leaks resulting from the accident, the well Kab 121 ignited and was brought under control the same day. On the 20th of November, Kab 121 ignited again, this time the fire destroyed the remains of the Derrick
Derrick
A derrick is a lifting device composed of one tower, or guyed mast such as a pole which is hinged freely at the bottom. It is controlled by lines powered by some means such as man-hauling or motors, so that the pole can move in all four directions. A line runs up it and over its top with a hook on...
and was controlled on December 3.
Scrappers
On August 4, 2008, another fire was extinguished on the Usumacinta. This fire is suspected to have been caused by scrappersWaste picker
A waste picker, recycler, rag picker, salvager, binner, informal resource recoverer, poacher, or a scavenger, is a person who salvages recyclable elements from mixed waste...
attempting to steal from the abandoned rig. This blaze was extinguished by the ships “Isla Guadalupe”, “Isla Cozumel”, “Pionero”, “Conquistador”, and "Deep Endeavour". The Mexican Navy
Mexican Navy
The Mexican Navy is the naval branch of the Mexican military responsible for conducting naval operations. Its stated mission is "to use the naval force of the federation for the exterior defense, and to help with internal order". The Navy consists of about 56,000 men and women plus reserves, over...
also sent the interceptor "Auriga" to the area at the request of PEMEX.
External links
- Complete Battelle Report of the Accident
- Official Pemex photos
- Usumacinta accident article
- MEXICO: Oil Rig Accident Kills 18 Early ABC NewsABC NewsABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
article. - Pemex Probes Usumacinta Accident Rigzone article.