The blowout happened about 9:50 a.m. on Hercules Platform No. 265, which is located about 40 miles south and 10 to 15 miles west of Grand Isle, according to the Coast Guard.
Officials told WDSU that 44 people were evacuated on two life boats, and all are said to be OK.
A Coast Guard cutter and two aircraft were sent to assess the situation.
Hercules Offshore owns the platform, but Jefferson Parish Emergency Management officials said Walter Oil and Gas was the company conducting drilling at the time of the incident. Initial reports indicate natural gas began working its way to the surface as crews were in the process of pumping mud.
JPEM participated in an early afternoon call that included members of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management as well as the Coast Guard. Responding agencies have established a unified command in Houma to manage the situation.
The Federal Aviation Administration has posted flight restrictions for the immediate area.
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