According to the US Coast Guard, Vermilion Oil Rig 380, owned by Mariner Energy, is on fire after an explosion was reported at about 9:30 a.m. CDT

摘要

The Coast Guard originally reported that it was notified of the explosion by a commercial aircraft flying nearby that reported seeing smoke from the rig and people in the water. The facility, identified as an oil and natural gas production platform which was being fed by as many as seven wells, is located about 90 miles south of Vermilion Bay in Vermilion Block 318, according to company records. A Coast Guard spokesman said there were 13 people on the rig and all have been accounted for, adding that they are being taken to Terrebonne General Medical Center in Houma, Louisiana. The Coast Guard has eight rescue helicopters en route to the location and three cutters -- Decisive, Manta and Skip Jack -- along with four civilian vessels. According to its website, Mariner is among the largest lease holders on the Outer Continental Shelf with interests in about 240 federal leases and more than 30 state blocks, at year-end 2009. In deepwater, Mariner holds a working interest in more than 90 blocks. The company has participated in more than 35 deepwater projects, operating more than half of them.