Transocean rig incident under investigation

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, June 19 -- The US Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit in Galveston, Tex., is investigating the cause of a well-control incident and fire on Transocean Inc.'s Rig 62 Tuesday night that took the life of one employee. Of the other crew members, 21 were evacuated, four with injuries.

Firefighters Boots & Coots Group brought the fire under control Wednesday as well flow was closed down and the remaining fire was confined to the mud pits. Pollution control specialists also were on site, but Transocean said there were no visible signs of pollution.

The incident occurred at about 11:00 p.m. while the inland barge rig was drilling for TransTexas Gas Corp. in upper Galveston Bay near Galveston.

Transocean said that efforts were underway to extinguish the mud pit fire.

No damage assessment to the rig has been made at this time.