A drilling rig ablaze in the Gulf of Mexico has partially collapsed tonight, officials have confirmed.
The Hercules 265 jackup rig caught fire last night, after a blowout forced the rig’s evacuation.
The U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement said this evening that beams supporting the derrick and rig floor on the rig had now collapsed over the structure.
A third firefighting vessel has been sent to the rig, 55 miles off the coast of Louisiana.
Forty-four people had previously been evacuated from the rig after crewmembers preparing it for production hit an unexpected pocket of gas.
“Two firefighting vessels were in the area and re-located to a safe distance from the fire,” the BSEE said in a statement today.
“A third vessel equipped with fire-fighting capability and improved monitoring system is enroute and expected to arrive late morning. The 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Pompano is standing by to assess the situation and enforce the security zone.”
See footage of the rig after the blowout taken by the On Wings of Care organisation below
Walter Oil and Gas, who had employed the rig, are preparing to move a jack-up rig nearby in order to drill a relief well. Officials said no visible sheen remained on the surface on the water.
US Coastguard officials have stopped nautical traffic from approaching within a 500m radius, while aviation chiefs prevented aircraft from approaching below 2000ft above the area.
“The extent of the damage to the rig is currently unknown,” Hercules Offshore, which operated the rig, said today.
“The company is currently working with its customer, Walter Oil and Gas, and regulatory authorities to determine the cause of the incident, but our immediate focus is on stopping the flow of natural gas from the well.
“All parties involved are working with third-party experts to develop a plan to regain control over the natural gas well, which could include the drilling of a relief well.”
The shallow-water well was being operated for Walter Oil and Gas on the South Timbalier site.
The incident comes just days after another gas well blew out off the Louisiana coast.
The 40-year-old Ship Shoal 225 well released gas into the Gulf for several days before being stopped.
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