Death On Pacific Drilling Rig

Houston offshore injury lawyers are following the October 20, 2015 death of an offshore worker who was killed while working offshore as a Pacific Drilling seaman.

The accident occurred aboard the Pacific Santa Ana, which was operating 200 miles offshore Louisiana at the time of the Incident.

Drillship Pacific Santa Ana

The Pacific Santa Ana is an “ultra-deepwater” or “UDW” drillship capable of drilling in 12,000 feet of water. It is capable of drilling to 40,000 feet total depth beneath the seafloor. It can accommodate 200 crew members. The rig cost $650 million to build. The vessel was built in 2011 at the Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard in South Korea.

The Pacific Santa Ana has a dual activity derrick with twin 1000ST load paths and enhanced mud and solids handling. Its variable deck load capacity is 22,046 ST while operating, 18,740 ST in transit, and 22,046 ST in survival mode.

The vessel is 748 feet long and 137 feet wide. It can carry 131 joints of the 90-foot riser pipe.

Offshore Accident Involved Chevron

The rig was under contract with Chevron Corp. at the time of the incident.

Cause Of The Offshore Fatality

The cause of the accident has not yet been revealed. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement or “BSEE” is investigating. The fatality is the first offshore death in the Gulf of Mexico in 2015.

Chevron reports that the incident did not cause pollution or other injuries.

Common Causes Of Offshore Injuries And Wrongful Deaths

Common causes of offshore injuries and wrongful deaths include:

• Hit by moving, flying, falling, or dropped object (including objects free-falling from cranes and lifting machinery)
• Injured while handling, lifting, or carrying something
• Falls from height
• Slips, trips, and falls

About Pacific Drilling

Pacific Drilling S.A. claims it is “offshore drilling company that provides global ultra-deepwater drilling services to the oil and natural gas industry through the use of high-specification drillships. Our corporate offices are located in Houston, Texas, with offices in Brazil, Luxembourg, Nigeria, Singapore, and South Korea.”

The company also asserts that it has “one of the newest and most technologically advanced fleets in the world. Our vessels are all state-of-the-art, high-specification drillships, which benefit from a proven design and highly developed construction techniques.”

As of November 5, 2015, Pacific Drilling stock was trading at $1.68 per share, less than 25 percent of its 52-week high.

About Chevron

Chevron is one of the largest energy companies in the world. Its business segments include oil, natural gas, manufacturing, supply and trading, products, pipelines, lubricants, shipping, oronite, chemicals, power, and technology.

Chevron’s website notes that it is “ one of the top leaseholders in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Key projects include Tahiti, Blind Faith, Big Foot, and Jack/St. Malo. Blind Faith and Jack/St. Malo are the company’s deepest operated offshore production facilities with water depths of 7,000 feet (2,134 m). Jack/St. Malo began oil production in December 2014. First oil at Big Foot is expected in late 2015.”

Houston Offshore Injury Lawyers Help Injured Seamen Nationwide

Morrow & Sheppard proudly represent injured offshore workers, injured sailors, injured, maritime workers, and their families. We have membership in the Maritime Law Association, which many consider the oldest and most prestigious organization for maritime lawyers.

If you or a loved one has been injured offshore or on the high seas, contact our offshore injury lawyers now at 1-800-489-2216 or fill out our online case evaluation form.

Consultations are free and confidential, and if you end up hiring us, you only pay if you win.

You can also learn more about common questions in offshore injury cases.