Feds launch probe into Gulf explosion

The federal government announced Friday it is launching a "full investigation" into Thursday's Gulf oil platform explosion about 100 miles offshore from Louisiana.

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEM) Director Michael R. Bromwich announced the probe into the blast and fire aboard Mariner Energy's Vermilion 380 platform. The cause of the explosion remains unclear.

“We are all relieved that the 13 personnel on the platform were rescued safely. We are continuing to closely monitor this situation, which will be investigated fully," Bromwich said. "We will use all available resources to ensure that we find out what happened, how it happened, and what enforcement action should be taken if any laws or regulations were violated."

Critics immediately seized on the explosion to illustrate the dangers of offshore oil drilling. Lawmakers on the House Energy and Commerce panel have requested a briefing from Mariner Energy on the incident by Sept. 10.

Some Democratic lawmakers and environmental groups used the incident to voice their support for the Obama administration's six-month deepwater oil drilling moratorium, in place in response to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

BOEM made it clear that "the current six-month suspension involves drilling rigs in deepwater and therefore does not apply to this platform."

Mariner's production platform was operating in about 340 feet of water, much shallower water than BP's oil rig, which was in 5,000 feet of water. Thursday's explosion also did not trigger a spill like the BP incident, but there were conflicting reports that a small amount of oil leaked into the water.

BOEM announced that the Coast Guard would assist with the investigation.