Authorities in Louisiana have suspended the search for a contractor who went missing following a massive explosion aboard one of Clovelly Oil Company’s Lake Pontchartrain oil and gas platforms.
The contractor has been identified as 44-year-old Timothy Morrison of Katy, Texas.
Morrison’s family has described him as a “beloved father, husband, brother, and friend.”
“The decision to suspend a search is never an easy one,” U.S. Coast Guard Commander Zac Ford said during a October 16 news conference. “We send our thoughts and prayers to the Morrison family and all those affected by this incident.”
Three Victims of Clovelly Oil Rig Explosion Remain Hospitalized, with Two in the Burn Unit
Seven oil rig workers were injured in the blast, five of whom suffered “blast type injuries and burns.”
Three of the workers remain hospitalized and in critical condition, including two who were admitted to the burn unit at Baton Rouge General.
The workers injured during the explosion include:
- Alvin Kimbrel, 55, from Belle Chase, Louisiana
- James Bordelon, 62, LaPlace, Louisiana
- Lawrence Dufrene, 45, from Marrero, Louisiana
- Davin Billiot, 27, from Houma, Louisiana
- Brent Neil, 52, from Houma, Louisiana
- Paul Phister, 52, Mandeville, Louisiana
- Cody Boudreaux, 23, Chauvin, Louisiana
Three of the injured workers are employees of the Clovelly Oil Company.
The remaining four were employed by two contractors, one of which (Hydra Steam Generator, Inc.) is based in Houston, Texas.
Explosion Occurred while Maintenance was being Performed on the Platform
The Clovelly oil rig exploded shortly before 7:18 p.m. on October 15, 2017.
Houston-based contractor Hydra Steam Generator was performing maintenance on the platform’s pipes when the blast occurred.
The Lake Pontchartrain oil rig was located just north of Kenner in Jefferson Parish, about 1.5 miles from shore. It serves as a storage and accumulation point for oil and gas from several surrounding wells.
According to a statement from the New Orleans-based Clovelly Oil, three oil wells near the platform were shut-in when it exploded. One gas well was flowing, but was successfully shut-in shortly after the blast.
Clovelly Oil owns a majority stake in the seven active wells on Lake Pontchartrain.
Condition of Oil Platform Impeded Search for Missing Contractor
Sunday evening’s explosion shook houses in the area and sparked a fire that could be seen from shore. The blaze was not extinguished until midday on Monday.
During a recent news conference, Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto indicated that the condition of the platform had made the search for Morrison difficult.
“There is a lot of structural damage to the rig. We have a lot of metal, twisted metal that is covering certain areas and we’re going to have to go back out there with different equipment when the weather permits,” he said.
Ryan Zehl Discusses Louisiana’s Increase in Catastrophic Oil Rig and Refinery Explosions in Recent Interview about the Clovelly Explosion
In an interview with WorkersCompensation.com, Ryan Zehl noted that oil rig explosions are on the rise in Louisiana, pointing out that the state has seen 4 other industrial explosions this year alone.
“Louisiana has a staggering number of industrial incidents and it appears to be going up,” Zehl said. “Explosions are typically not ‘accidents’. They occur when rules aren’t followed and procedures aren’t put into place.”
Click here to read more of Mr. Zehl’s interview with WorkersCompensation.com.
More Than $1 Billion Recovered for Injured Workers in Louisiana, Texas and Throughout the United States
In addition to being Undefeated, our Oil Rig Explosion Lawyers have recovered more than $1 billion for our clients, including hundreds of workers in Louisiana, Texas, and throughout the United States who were injured or killed in the worst industrial explosions in recent history.
Most recently, our firm negotiated a confidential settlement for more than 60 workers injured as a result of the Williams Olefins Plant Explosion in Geismar, Louisiana. The record-setting settlement stands as one of the largest in history involving a plant explosion.
Our firm is also representing the families of 3 of the 4 workers who were tragically killed in the Williams pipeline explosion in Gibson, Louisiana, as well as one of the workers seriously injured in connection with the recent Phillips 66 explosion in Paradis, Louisiana.
Click here to read Ryan Zehl’s Houma Times interview regarding the Paradis Phillips 66 pipeline explosion.
Questions About the Clovelly Oil Rig Explosion? Call 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here to Contact our Undefeated Oil Rig Explosion Lawyers for a Free Consultation.
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