Probe Faults Slow Response And Equipment Failure in 2013 Gulf Blowout

"WASHINGTON — Workers reacted too slowly to stop a Gulf of Mexico well blowout that forced the evacuation of 44 people and ignited a fire that raged for two days in 2013, according to a federal investigation report released Thursday.

The probe also fingered the failure of emergency equipment at the site and faulted two Houston companies — Walter Oil & Gas Corp. and drilling contractor Hercules Offshore — for a miscalculation about the ability of fluids pumped into the well to help keep gas at bay.

“Given the equipment and human failures noted in the report, this incident could have easily resulted in a more tragic outcome,” said Brian Salerno, director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement that oversees offshore drilling."

Jennifer A. Dlouhy reports for FuelFix September 10, 2015.