On 2 September, the same day that BP began removing the failed Deepwater Horizon blowout preventer, an oil production platform to the west exploded and caught fire, causing one injury. The platform is in comparatively shallow waters (150 m deep), 160 km off the coast of Vermilion Bay in Louisiana and early reports are that it is not currently producing product.

At the time of the explosion, the platform had 13 crewmembers on board; all were evacuated and have been accounted for. There are no reports of any oil leaking from the platform, which is owned by Mariner Energy, Inc.

Update 6:20 PM: The US Coast Guard stated during a press conference that they have no evidence of an oil sheen coming from the platform following the explosion, though they will continue to investigate and monitor the site.

Image at right shows approximate location of explosion