An investigation by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) into the 23 March incident determined that a six-and-3/4-inch diameter, 862-pound chain link in the riser mooring tether chain had “fractured and separated near its butt weld”.
“Analysis of the fracture indicated that the chain link had a weld repair and the fracture initiated in the middle of the weld,” BOEMRE said.
Three
