Drillship Worker Dies in Gulf of Mexico

zoom The U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) said it is responding to a report of a fatality on a drillship in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 200 miles south of Lake Charles, Louisiana. The 2011-built Pacific Santa Ana drillship was beginning drilling operations for Chevron in 4,800 feet of water. According to the operator, operations on the drillship have been shut down. There were no other injuries reported and personnel remain on the drillship. There was no reported pollution. BSEE and U. S. Coast Guard inspectors traveled to the drillship Tuesday afternoon, October 20, and have begun collecting evidence and taking statements. The incident will be investigated by both BSEE and the U. S. Coast Guard. The Pacific Santa Ana is owned by Pacific Drilling, and has been on a 5-year charter with Chevron since the late 2011.