Update: Fire on Gulf of Mexico platform extinguished

The fire that broke out early Thursday morning on an offshore oil platform in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico has been extinguished.

To remind, the U.S. Coast Guard had earlier on Thursday informed there was a platform burning near Grand Isle, offshore Louisiana, and that four people were rescued after evacuating from the platform into the water. No details had been given on the owner of the rig.

However, Offshore Energy Today has obtained a statement from Renaissance Offshore, which confirmed the fire broke out on its Ship Shoal 266 A platform.

Below is a statement sent by Renaissance Offshore to Offshore Energy Today.

“At approximately 2:30am CST this morning, January 5, 2017, a fire broke out on the Ship Shoal 266 A platform owned by Renaissance Offshore, LLC. Initial efforts were made by the crew to extinguish the fire, however, the decision was made to discontinue those efforts and abandon the platform due to heavy smoke.

“All four crew members onboard safely evacuated from the platform aboard a life raft and were recovered by a field vessel that had been dispatched to the location. The crew has safely evacuated to a nearby facility and will be transferred onshore for a full evaluation. The fire was completely extinguished at approximately 5:50am CST.”

According to the Coast Guard, the four people who evacuated into the water were recovered by the offshore supply vessel Mary Wyatt Milano. There were no reported injuries.

The Crew of Mary Wyatt Milano and three other offshore supply vessels assisted in fighting the fire. The cause of the incident is under investigation.

Offshore Energy Today Staff