Mariner Energy Platform Fire - Is There a Trend of Offshore Accidents?

It didn’t take long, but critics to offshore oil drilling are already weighing in on the recent Gulf of Mexico explosion. An oil rig owned by Houston-based Mariner Energy exploded on Thursday, September 2, 2010, sending 13 maritime workers into the Gulf.

Fortunately, they were all rescued. However, according to reports, one of the offshore workers was injured in the explosion.

The oil and gas industry is still trying to recover from April’s explosion onboard the Deepwater Horizon. The energy industry has been in high gear to convince policymakers and the public that BP’s accident was a fluke and that offshore drilling is safe. However, Mariner Energy’s recent explosion may prove to be a major setback to these efforts.

Environmentalists contend that the Mariner Energy explosion is proof of a troubling trend of offshore accidents posing serious ramifications to the environment. It has been reported that 69 people have lost their lives on offshore facilities in the past 10 years. Some have estimated that there have been 858 fires and explosions over the last decade.

Whichever side of the debate you may be on – it is hard to deny the dangers that are faced by offshore rig workers on a daily basis.  They work in an unpredictable environment where anything can go wrong at any moment.  Some crewmembers work for hours on end with very little sleep.

If you have been hurt in a maritime accident, you do not have to deal with your situation alone.  We can help you determine the value of your case and protect you from tactics that might be used by your employer or insurer.

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