Any industrial accident carries a high risk of being tragic, and oil rig disasters are among the most frightening examples. The primary difference between an oil rig accident and other types of industrial accidents is that victims of oil rig explosions often have limited options for escaping to safety.
Fortunately, oil platform explosions are an uncommon type of workplace injury. Only a handful of oil rigs have experienced disasters. However, the largest disasters have resulted in hundreds of maritime injuries and deaths. The following are four of the largest offshore oil rig accidents in history.
1. Piper Alpha
The disaster at the Piper Alpha oil rig in the North Sea near Scotland resulted in the loss of 167 lives. It all started when a worker installed a temporary hand-tightened valve on one of two pumps at the station. While the decision to install the valve was reasonable, it was not properly communicated to the next shift.
This means that when the other pump malfunctioned, workers were unaware that the first pump was only partially functional. When they attempted to use the pump, it malfunctioned, resulting in an explosion. The explosion and the following conditions killed 165 workers and two rescue team members.
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2. Alexander L. Kielland Disaster
This disaster occurred in the North Sea eight years prior to the Piper Alpha incident. A powerful storm hit the rig, causing five of the cables that tethered it to the sea floor to snap. Eventually, this caused the entire rig to capsize.
Of the 212 workers housed on the rig, 123 were unable to escape the facility. Part of the reason so few escaped is that three of the four rescue boats were damaged when the release hooks failed.
3. Ocean Ranger
The Ocean Ranger is another offshore oil rig that was devastated by a powerful storm. Located east of Newfoundland, it had a reputation for withstanding all types of weather without difficulty. Unfortunately, on February 15, 1982, it was struck by a storm with almost no warning. This prevented the crew from preparing for bad weather in the usual way.
Even worse, a giant wave struck the control room, forcing the crew to disconnect power. When power was reconnected, the rig tilted and collapsed. All 84 members of the crew died in the disaster. Investigations suggested that part of the reason for the disaster was that the crew was poorly trained.
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4. Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
In terms of loss of life, the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion was relatively tame. Only 11 crew members died in the blast. Unfortunately, the ecological impact of the explosion was one of the most devastating in human history.
When the explosion occurred, the oil rig sank, causing oil to flow freely into the Gulf of Mexico. The well continued to spew oil into the Gulf for 87 days before crews could successfully stop the flow.
The massive amount of oil released into the Gulf of Mexico devastated the ecosystem. Nearly all marine life in the area was affected in some way, and the ecosystem still hasn’t recovered. Unfortunately, much like the Ocean Ranger accident, investigations after the fact suggested that crew errors were a significant factor in this explosion.
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Typically, oil rig disasters occur when crew members are poorly trained or don’t follow proper safety protocols. Even disasters that are primarily caused by natural events are often exacerbated by human errors. If you work on an oil rig, it is important to follow all safety protocols and insist on proper training to protect yourself and your co-workers.
Call Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers at (713) 500-5000 to schedule a free consultation if you need legal support after an offshore oil rig accident. Contact Houston personal injury lawyers today.
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About the Author Brian White
Brian White earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. As a Board-Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer, Brian represents clients throughout Houston in cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, brain injuries, wrongful death, and more.
Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and community initiatives across Houston. Client testimonials highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents.
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