Gulf rig barely hanging on after explosion

With a 70 degree list, the record-setting Deepwater Horizon oil platform threatens to topple into the Gulf of Mexico.

Described as “one of the more advanced rigs out there” by a spokesman for owner company Transocean Ltd, the rig set a deepwater drilling record last September of 35,000 feet.


The platform was rocked Tuesday night by a massive explosion and flames reportedly continue to engulf the structure located 43 miles south of the Mississippi River.

A helicopter and vessel search of the area continues for between 11 and 15 missing workers with the Coast Guard keeping an eye out for liferafts.126 persons were aboard at the time of the explosion and the vast majority were said to have safely reached shore by a workout. Seven workers were taken to area hospitals with two persons transported to a Mobile, Alabama trauma center.

Transocean says it is too early to determine a cause of the explosion.

The platform was built in 2001 and a prototype would cost an estimated $600 to $700 million dollars to build.

Designed to accommodate a crew up to 130 persons, the rig is operated by BP.

Source: Associated Press