Two Workers Killed and One Injured at Shell’s Auger Platform

On Sunday morning, June 30, 2019, Shell reported that there were two fatalities at the company’s Auger Tension Leg Platform (TLP) in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico (GOM), 214 miles south of New Orleans, Louisiana.  The company also stated that one non-life-threatening injury was sustained at the platform.  The injured individual is being treated at a nearby hospital, Shell noted.

In a letter to Rigzone, Shell stated the incident occurred at approximately 9 a.m. Central time during a routine training exercise of the lifeboat launch and retrieval capabilities at the platform.

Shell company representatives have informed family members of individuals involved. The company also stated that names are not being released out of respect for the families and their privacy.

Shell’s Prepared Statement

In a prepared statement, Shell said:

“In the over forty years that Shell has operated in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico, we have strived, above all, to ensure our people go home safely to their loved ones…It’s devastating when they do not. We deeply regret this loss of life within our Shell community.”

Shell also reported there has been no impact on the environment and that the asset is stable.

The Auger

The Auger has operated since 1994 and is Shell’s largest net GOM producer, according to the company’s website.  In fact, when deepwater production waned, it appeared the Auger was destined for decommissioning.

But in 2010 its fate took a dramatic turn when, according to Shell’s website, “Shell’s engineers discovered a whole untapped field – called Cardamom – hidden behind a vast salt deposit, 4 miles (6.4km) below the sea floor.”

The offshore injury attorney’s at Morrow & Sheppard LLP are closely monitoring this incident and will provide updates as they become available.