Vermilion Bay Oil Rig Explosion In Gulf of Mexico

By: Bill Waters
09/02/2010 12:31 PM ET

Vermilion Bay oil rig explosion in Gulf of Mexico. Vermilion Bay is about 90 miles from the oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico. The offshore oil rig exploded Thursday and the Coast Guard is reponding to reports of people in the water.

Bay oil rig explosion sparked a fire. It is owned by owned by Mariner Energy. It occurred west of the site of the April blast that caused the massive BP oil spill.

A commercial helicopter company reported the blast around 9:30 a.m. CDT Thursday. Seven helicopters, two airplanes and four boats were en route to the site, about 80 miles south of Vermilion Bay along the central Louisiana coast. The Coast Guard said initial reports indicated all 13 crew members from the rig were in the water.

Oil rig injuries are being reported, but only one confirmed. Others were said to be in good condition and are awaiting rescue. The oil platform is in about 2,500 feet of water and was not currently producing.

Mariner Energy is one of the leading independent oil and gas exploration and production companies in the Gulf of Mexico. As of the start of the year, the company had interests in approximately 240 blocks on the continental shelf and 100 blocks in deepwater. More updates to follow.

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