MALLARD 41; Mississippi River Delta, Louisiana

Mississippi River Delta, Louisiana | 1990-Oct-10

Initial Notification: At approximately 2300 on October 9, 1990, the ARCO workover boat MALLARD 41 was revitalizing an oil and natural gas well located in South Pass about 5-1/2 nautical miles south of South East Pass in the Mississippi Delta. A fire started in the on-board drill mud pits during well work. Oil sheen was observed by other vessels working the fire. It was not clear whether the sheen was coming from the MALLARD and fire fighting efforts or from the well below the burning vessel. At 0045 om October 10, ARCO officials reportedly stated that the well was safely shut-in and was no longer a factor in the fire. The fire was finally extinguished at 0115 after going out once and then restarting. Vessels on-scene continued cooling the MALLARD with seawater. USCG district 8.