Oil Rig Explodes Off Louisiana Coast

Published September 02, 2010
| FoxNews.com
Print Email Share Comments (0) Text Size DEVELOPING: The Louisiana Coast Guard is responding to reports of an offshore oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico.

A spokesman for the Coast Guard told Fox News Radio that all of the crew members on the rig are alive and have been safely accounted for.

The rig is reportedly owned by Mariner Energy.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Casey Ranel said the blast was reported by a commercial helicopter company about 9:30 a.m. CDT on Thursday.

Seven helicopters, two airplanes and four boats are en route to the site, about 80 miles south of Vermilion Bay along the central Louisiana coast.

Ranel said it hasn't been determined whether the structure is a production platform or a drilling rig or whether workers were aboard. Ranel said smoke was reported but it is unclear whether the rig is still burning.

Authorities have not confirmed whether oil has spilled into the ocean.

WTF

Great. At least it is in a little more shallow water, not that it still wouldn't be difficult. Here we go again.

13 people on board. All were rescued, but it is still burning. No report on ifit is leaking il or not.

This is an exploration rig which is not producing oil or gas.

I was afraid to open this thread. I thought you were going to say you blew another motor (or tire)! Glad it was just an oil rig!

non production rig that was still in the construction phase. But you know the news,they try to make it the end of the world.

thanks....i guess