LOUISIANA
Three Companies and three people were charged in fatal 2012 Gulf of Mexico oil drilling platform explosion, officials announced today
Black Elk Energy Offshore Operations LLC, Grand Isle Shipyards Inc., Wood Group PSN Inc., as well as Don Moss, 46, of Groves, Texas, Curtis Dantin, 50, of Cut-Off, Louisiana, and Christopher Srubar, 40, of Destrehan, Louisiana, have been charged with crimes for the November 2012 explosion on an oil production platform, officials announced today.
The blast resulted in the death of three workers, the injury of others and an oil spill, officials said.
“The energy sector represents a vital industry in this region, but its work must be performed responsibly,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite of Louisiana. “Today’s indictment underscores that we will hold accountable all parties – both businesses and individuals – whose criminality jeopardizes our environment or risks the loss of life.”
According to the indictment, the defendants were involved in different capacities while construction work was being done of the West Delta 32 platform when it exploded.
Black Elk Energy Offshore Operations LLC and Grand Isle Shipyards Inc. are charged with three counts of involuntary manslaughter, eight counts of failing to follow proper safety practices under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) and one count of violating the Clean Water Act.
Wood Group PSN Inc., Moss, Dantin and Srubar are charged with felony violations of OCSLA and the Clean Water Act, according to authorities.
“Workers lives can depend on their employer’s faithfulness to the law, not least of all those working in oil and gas production where safety must be a paramount concern,” said Assistant Attorney General John C. Cruden for the Justice Department’s Environment and natural Resources Division. “The Justice Department is committed to enforcing the nation’s bedrock environmental laws that protect the environment, and the health and safety of all Americans.”
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and federal regulations govern welding and activities that generate heat or sparks, known as “hot work,” on oil production platforms in U.S. waters, officials said.
Because this work can be hazardous and cause explosions, regulations mandate specific precautions that must be taken before the work can commence, according to authorities.
For instance, officials said before hot work can be performed, pipes and tanks that had contained hydrocarbons must be isolated from the work or purged of hydrocarbons.
Gas detectors and devices used to prevent gas from traveling through pipes must be used, officials said.
According to the Indictment, these safety precautions were not followed and an explosion causing the deaths of three men and a spill resulted.
Defendants are innocent until proven guilty.
