Gas from a blown out well which caused a rig in the Gulf of Mexico to burn and collapse has now been contained, according to safety officials.
The 30-year-old Hercules 265 jack-up rig partially collapsed last night after gas from the well ignited, hours after the rig had been evacuated.
But the well has now stopped flowing, with the remaining small flames on the rig coming from the gas still in the pipeline.
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement said in a statement that the line had been blocked by sand and sediment filling the area which had been drilled on Tuesday, sparking the gas leak.
“The fire has decreased to a small flame fueled by residual gas at the top of the well,” the bureau said.
Coastguard officials have flown over the well to check, and will continue to oversee safety work with the BSEE and safety experts until the well is secured.
A 500m safety cordon remains in place around the site, however, with aircraft restricted to higher than 2,000ft above the location, 55miles off the coast of Louisiana.
Three firefighting vessels had been called to the scene, with a water curtain providing heat protection to the rig.
The rig crew lost control of the natural gas well in the South Timbalier block on Tuesday, while preparing a sidetrack well for production.
The 44 crew members on board were evacuated safely, and no oil was spilled. A gas sheen had been seen on the surface of the water, but has since dissipated.
However, the gas leaking ignited and set part of the rig ablaze. Yesterday afternoon the derrick and drill floor collapsed.
Rig operators Hercules Offshore said they were continuing to review the area for potential environmental impacts.
“The company has contracted an outside environmental expert to monitor currents, wind direction and wave height for the potential trajectory of any conceivable environmental spill.
“The company is working with Walter Oil & Gas and their third party expert in efforts to regain control of the natural gas well, including preparation to drill a relief well. In the event that a relief well is necessary, the Company is preparing to promptly mobilize the Hercules 200, a 200′ mat-supported cantilevered unit to execute drilling of the relief well.”
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.
See footage of the rig after the blowout taken by the On Wings of Care organisation below
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