Trial Set For February Over Deadly Platform Blast

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Two companies charged with manslaughter in a deadly 2012 rig explosion about 20 miles off Grand Isle are scheduled for trial in February.

The Courier reports that a trial is set for Feb. 1 in federal court in New Orleans.

U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo will hear the case against Black Elk Energy and one of its contractors, Grand Isle Shipyards Inc.

The two companies face three counts of involuntary manslaughter, as well as eight charges involving federal safety practices under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and one violation of the Clean Water Act.

The case stems from an explosion and fire started during welding work on a platform in the Gulf of Mexico owned by Black Elk Energy Offshore Operations.

(Information in the preceding story is from: The Courier, http://www.houmatoday.com )

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.