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• Did Blowout Cause Transocean Oil Rig Explosion in Gulf of Mexico?
• Fiery History of Gulf of Mexico Offshore Oil Rig Blazes
• Search Efforts for Missing Offshore Workers in Transocean Gulf Of Mexico Oil Rig Explosion Will Resume Tomorrow
• Several Injured in Transocean Oil Rig Explosion in Gulf of Mexico
• Transocean Oil Rig Explosion: All about the Deepwater Horizon Semisubmersible Rig
• Survivors of Louisiana Transocean Oil Rig Explosion Back on Shore
• Deepwater Horizon Rig Collapses in Gulf of Mexico
• Families of Missing Transocean Offshore Explosion Workers Told to Expect Worst

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• Transocean crewmembers need to protect themselves from BP's allegations now
• Transocean Has a Checkered Past When It Comes to Safety
• BP is No Stranger to Safety Issues
• Jones Act: Am I Protected?

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Transocean Has a Checkered Past When It Comes to Safety

Transocean Ltd., which owns the Deepwater Horizon, has a checkered past. The most recent rig accident that claimed the lives of eleven workers wasn't the first incident involving Transocean and probably won't be the last.

According to Transocean's website, the company is "the world's largest offshore drilling contractor." The website goes on to say that the company "provides the most versatile fleet of mobile offshore drilling units to help clients find and develop oil and natural gas reserves." Transocean has been around for over 50 years, employs 18,000 and operates about 140 rigs, including the Deepwater Horizon.

While we won't argue that Transocean's safety record has been better than the industry average, that still doesn't say a whole lot.

The Wall Street Journal * investigated Transocean's past in regards to safety issues and accidents. Here are some of the things that were uncovered:

• Executive bonuses were suspended last year, following the deaths of four Transocean workers in 2009.
• The four fatalities in 2009 were from four separate incidents.
• In 2009, Transocean had 0.77 injuries per 200,000 hours worked.
• Transocean's record worsened by 31 percent in 2009 compared to 2008 in an evaluation of potentially hazardous accidents.
• Since 2008, nearly three-quarters of incidents that triggered federal investigations into safety and other issues on offshore drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico involved Transocean.
• After Transocean merged with GlobalSantaFe, the company has accounted for 24 of the 33 incidents investigated by the U.S. Minerals Management Service.
• The U.S. Minerals Management Service has investigated four fires aboard Transocean drilling rigs since 2005.
• Regulators discovered in 2006 that a blowout preventer failed, partially due to maintenance issues.
• In 2005, problems with a cement seal were believed to have caused a well to leak drilling fluid.
• A survey of oil companies within the industry that hired Transocean thought the company has had a drop in its quality and performance.

Transocean has asserted its commitment to safety and has defended itself. Larry McMahan, Transocean's vice president for performance, said, "we are a learning company. We do not make the same mistakes again." We can only hope that McMahan's comment is accurate, because no one wants to see a repeat of the recent rig explosion.

A lot of people are pointing fingers and trying to place blame. Even though Transocean does have a checkered past, it is important to remember that it is still early. The investigation needs to run its course.

At the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C., we will be closely monitoring the details of the investigation and this tragic accident, as details are released.

If you were injured on the Deepwater Horizon, we have an informational report that will answer many of your questions. The report, Answers to the Most Common Questions About the Transocean Rig Explosion, is free. You can also call our office to speak with a board certified maritime attorney at (877) 724-7800.

*Source: The Wall Street Journal, "Rig Owner Had Rising Tally of Accidents"

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• BP Blames Transocean Rig Workers for Deepwater Horizon Explosion

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