Another Oil Rig Explodes in Gulf

Another oil rig has exploded and is burning in the Gulf of Mexico. No workers were killed but an oil scheen is reported at the site. Thirteen workers you were doing repairs and maintenance on the site were rescued from the water. Current reports say the well was not in production at the time. There is still a question as to the existence of the oil sheen but it could be from oil stored on the site.

see Washington Post -Fire forces evacuation of Mariner oil platform in Gulf of Mexico.

While a disaster is never good news, it may take some the heat off of Obama’s decision for a moratorium on deep well drilling even though this rig was in shallow water. If there is a leak, at least in shallow water it is much easier to stop. A second oil rig explosion obviously raises concern about rig safety.