BOEM Investigates Vermilion 380 Platform Explosion

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEM) Director Michael R. Bromwich announced that BOEM has launched a full investigation into the September 2, 2010, incident on Mariner Energy Resources’s Vermilion 380 platform. Per a Memorandum of Agreement from March 27, 2009, on BOEM-U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) cooperation, USCG will support BOEM's investigation of this incident.

"We are all relieved that the 13 personnel on the platform were rescued safely. We are continuing to closely monitor this situation, which will be investigated fully. We will use all available resources to ensure that we find out what happened, how it happened, and what enforcement action should be taken if any laws or regulations were violated," said Director Bromwich.

Bromwich has directed members of BOEM’s newly created Investigations and Review Unit to lead the investigation.

The Sept. 2 incident occurred on an oil and gas production platform in approximately 340 feet of water, 102 miles offshore Louisiana. The platform was authorized to produce oil and gas at this water depth .

The current six-month suspension involves drilling rigs in deepwater and therefore does not apply to this platform.