13 Workers Rescued From Oil Platform Blast

One person injured; no oil leaks seen
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Sep 2, 2010 10:58 AM CDT
Updated Sep 2, 2010 12:39 PM CDT
13 Workers Rescued From Oil Platform Blast
Map locates site of new explosion.   (AP)

An offshore oil platform exploded in the Gulf of Mexico about 100 miles off the Louisiana coast today, but this one appears headed toward a better ending than BP's explosion. All 13 people aboard have been rescued—though one is reportedly injured. Earlier reports that the platform was inactive have proved to be inaccurate, but workers may have been able to shut down active wells after the explosion.

The platform, known as Vermilion Oil Platform 380 and owned by Mariner Energy of Houston, was floating in about 340 feet of water when the blast occurred. The cause remains unclear. It's about 200 miles west of BP's blown Macondo well, but in far shallower water.
(More oil rig stories.)

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