Cargo Business Newswire

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Small offshore oil platform catches fire off Louisiana

An offshore oil platform caught fire in shallow water near the coast of Louisiana Friday and some oil sheen was seen in the ocean following the evacuation of workers, according to U.S. Coast Guard officials.

All 28 workers aboard were taken from the platform, located about 20 miles east of Louisiana, onto a nearby supply vessel and taken ashore. There were no injuries reported, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

Texas Petroleum Investment Company, which owns

and operates the platform, shut off production. A company spokesman said the platform can produce up to 2,200 barrels per day of crude oil from up to 60 wells.

The fire was still burning at midday Friday with response vessels on site. It was unclear how much oil had leaked, but the Coast Guard said it had seen a 1.4 nautical mile "rainbow sheen" drifting southwest of the platform.

For more of the Reuters story: www.reuters.com