The Most Severe Oil Rig Explosions And Disasters In America’s History
Professionals in the oil and gas industry understand that there are dangers inherent to the job — everything from experiencing slip and fall incidents to getting struck or stuck at hazardous work sites. However, some of the most frightening and harmful accidents that occur in this sector are oil rig explosions.
Whether they’re due to equipment and structural failures, extreme weather conditions, or human error, these accidents can have significant environmental ramifications and result in severe injury and death. Throughout history, the U.S. has experienced several major oil rig explosions and disasters. Here’s a look at some of the most impactful examples.
1969 Santa Barbara Oil Spill
This incident occurred in January of 1969 off the coast of Santa Barbara. It’s cited by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as the first major oil spill in U.S. history. It was hugely consequential.
The disaster occurred when an oil production platform experienced a blowout or an uncontrolled release of oil and gas that resulted in an eruption. The blowout was caused by insufficient safety precautions, primarily an inadequate protective casing around the drilling hole.
It took 10 days for the well to be capped, and it was months before all related undersea fault leaks were taken care of. During that period, it’s estimated that over four million gallons of oil were released into the ocean, causing significant environmental harm.
According to NOAA, this spill contributed to the National Environmental Policy Act, the first Earth Day celebration, and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970. It also led to the Clean Water Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act in 1972 and the Endangered Species Act in 1973.
Deepwater Horizon
The worst oil rig disaster in the U.S. occurred on April 20, 2010, in the Gulf of Mexico. The Deepwater Horizon oil rig, operated by British Petroleum (BP), suffered a major explosion. It resulted in 11 deaths, the collapse of the structure into the ocean, and the release of 4 million barrels of oil (168 million gallons) over the course of 87 days before the well was capped.
The Deepwater Horizon spill resulted in record-setting settlements against BP that totaled over $14 billion in penalties and damages alone. It stands as the largest oil spill in the history of marine drilling.
Piper Alpha
The Piper Alpha disaster did not take place in the U.S., but it’s worth mentioning because it is considered the deadliest offshore oil disaster in history. In particular, it resulted in 167 fatalities and dozens of catastrophic injuries, including severe burns.
On July 6, 1988, the Piper Alpha platform, located in the North Sea (off the coast of Scotland), was rocked by a series of explosions followed by high-intensity fires. These events weakened the structure and caused about three-fourths of the topsides to collapse into the sea, sinking nearly 500 feet to the ocean floor below.
It took over three weeks to extinguish the fires on the remaining topside platform. Only 61 people involved in the incident survived, and the cause of the explosion could never be fully uncovered. Even so, many believe the most likely cause of the disaster was a missing safety valve that allowed a small propane release, leading to fire and explosion.
What To Do If You’re Involved In An Oil Rig Accident
Whether you suffer a struck-by incident, toxic exposure, or an oil rig explosion, you could find yourself coping with lasting trauma and significant injury. When accidents occur, you need the assistance of trained medical professionals and a qualified attorney to help you recover, account for associated costs, and get your life back.
Contact our Denver Personal Injury Attorneys at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers at (720) 613 9706
For more information, please contact the Denver personal injury lawyers at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer.
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About The Author
Kurt Zaner has earned national recognition for his innovative legal strategies, securing some of the largest verdicts in Colorado. He assists injured clients in Denver with personal injury cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, motorcycle accidents, and more. Click here to view some of the fantastic case results that Zaner Law has successfully handled.
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