TN PETRÓLEO

An explosion occurred this morning at a fixed platform operated by Mariner Energy in Vermilion Block 380, located 102 miles offshore the central Louisiana coast. Thirteen workers involved in the incident have been accounted for, including one who sustained injuries, according to media reports. All workers evacuated into the water following the explosion.

A U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson told that seven helicopters, two fixed wind aircraft, and four Coast Guard cutters have been sent to assist in the rescue effort. The New Orleans Coast Guard office received a call at 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning from a commercial helicopter company reporting the blast.

Industry sources have said that the possible cause of the fire is a pipeline rupture.

Mariner is sole operator and owner of the platform, which a 24-hour, manned fixed platform with two decks, heliport and crane. The platform was installed in early 1980 in 340 feet of water, and has produced both oil and natural gas since 1982.

Water depth at Vermilion Block 380, which Mariner has leased since 1974, ranges from 319 feet to 368 feet.