Drilling Incident Claims Life on Inland Rig; Investigation into Mishap Continues

Parker Drilling confirmed Tuesday that an employee of a third party sub-contractor, Southern Sandblasting and Coating of Dayton, Texas, has died from injuries sustained while working on Parker Drilling barge rig 72 in New Iberia, Louisiana.

The individual, who was employed by Southern Sandblasting and Coating, a contractor hired by Eagle Industrial Equipment Inc. to perform painting and sandblasting on the Parker rig, was pronounced dead at the scene.

“We at Parker Drilling extend our deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to his family and friends. We are profoundly saddened by this unfortunate incident,” said Parker Drilling CEO and President Bobby Parker, Jr.

“We do not know, nor will we speculate about the factors that led to his untimely death. OSHA has been contacted to perform its customary investigation,” said Parker.

Parker Drilling is a Houston-based, global energy company specializing in offshore drilling and workover services in the Gulf of Mexico and international land and offshore markets.