Swire lands environmental certification
Swire Oilfield Services has been awarded a Procel Edifica certificate for its environmentally friendly base in Brazil.
Health, Safety & Environment
Survivor tells of 18 hour wait to be rescued from Azerbaijan platform fire
A survivor of a fire at the Guneshli field in Azerbaijan has told how workers were stranded on a lifeboat for 18 hours while they waited to be rescued. Malakhat Aliyeva told reporters strong winds had made it challenging for rescuers to approach the lifeboat, which had around 26 people on board. One person has been confirmed dead, while another 29 workers are missing, following the fire off the cost of Azerbaijan.
North Star Shipping receives top safety award
North Star Shipping has won a top health and safety award from the British Safety Council.
Safety warning issued to helicopter operators
A safety warning has been issued to helicopter operators after a fault was discovered which could potentially endanger crews. The warning was issued on Wednesday by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), after a problem was found in rescue hoists. The fault was traced during a safety test on an Airbus Deutschland Helicopter MBB-BK 117 C-2.
Offshore worker airlifted from North Sea support vessel
A man had to be airlifted to hospital from a North Sea support vessel earlier this morning.
Improvements highlighted following fire on Petrojarl Knarr
A fire on board the Petrojarl Knarr FPSO has led to its owners being told to make improvements by Norway's Petroleum Safety Authority.
CPS decide not to bring corporate manslaughter charges after refinery explosion
The CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) in Wales said no corporate manslaughter charges will be brought after an explosion which killed four workers at an oil refinery. The investigation into the incident, which happened at a Chevron refinery – now Valero – in 2011, was described as “extremely complex”. The families of Julie Schmitz 54, Dennis Riley, 52, Robert Broome, 48, and Andrew Jenkins, 33, were informed of the decision.
Fire at Daewoo shipbuilding yard leaves one dead and seven injured
Police are investigating after a fire at a shipbuilding yard in South Korea has left one person dead and seven others injured. The incident happened at a shipyard owned by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering on Geoje Island earlier today. It is believed the fire broke out on an 85,000 LPG tankers where engineers had been carrying out welding work.
BP hit with Skarv FPSO improvement notice
Oil major BP has been issued with a notice from Norway’s safety body for violations related to operational risk on its Skarv FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel). The PSA (Petroleum Safety Authority) said non-conformities were identified in connection with risk management, fire water in the event of gas detection and man-machine interfaces.
Marathon Oil hit with improvement notice for Brae Alpha installation
Marathon Oil has been hit with an improvement notice by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) after a gas leak on its Brae Alpha installation in the North Sea. The company will have until April next year to comply with the notice following the incident 170 miles north east of Aberdeen. The leak happened in June inside the West Brae Caisson on the installation.
Search continues for pilots after helicopter crashes offshore India
A helicopter has crashed into the Arabian Sea shortly after take-off from an offshore installation owned by ONGC (Oil & Natural Gas Corporation). Two pilots are said to be missing after the helicopter,owned by India’s Pawan Hans,crashed. An Indian defence spokesman said debris has now been recovered including what appears to be the aircraft's door and some other debris.
Worker killed in Chevron accident off Gulf of Mexico
An investigation has been launched after a worker was been killed in an accident on a drillship contracted to oil major Chevron in the Gulf of Mexico. The man, who was employed by Pacific Drilling was fatally injured on board the Pacific Santa Ana while it was operating in waters in the US Gulf.
Fatal platform fire caused by leak in gas fuel line
The cause of a platform fire in Mexico earlier this year which killed four workers and left 16 injured was a leak in a rarely used gas fuel line which had corroded, according to a new report. The findings by Mexico’s Agencia de Seguridad, Energia y Ambiente (ASEA) on what happened on board the Pemex Abkatun Permanente platform will not lead to any fines against the company. The gas fuel line had shown what was described as an “unusual” kind of accelerated corrosion due the presence of micro-organisms and sulphuric acid within the gas.
International SOS leads the way with first certification in remote healthcare provision
A global healthcare company which provides services for several North Sea energy firms has become the first organisation in the world to be certified for its remote services. International SOS, which provides medical advice and referrals for offshore workers and people travelling to remote locations, received the award under new “telehealth” guidelines published by the International Organization for Standardization. Lawrie Campbell, head of the firm’s North Sea division, said: “Advancements in telehealth are vital for the oil and gas industry, where remote locations and testing conditions become increasingly challenging.
Steel firm lands safety award
A joint venture between Tata Steel and Ramco Pipeline Services, has landed an award from the International Safety Quality Environment Management Association (ISQEM for its commitment to safety.
Video: Pipeline explosion in South Texas causes evacuations
A natural gas pipeline explosion in the US has forced people to evacuate from their homes.
HeliOffshore chief says North Sea helicopter crash has been “catalyst” for change
A fatal helicopter crash in which four oil workers lost their lives two years ago has acted as a "catalyst" for lesson learning, according to the chief executive of HeliOffshore.
Crew member evacuated from Vos Venturer
A crew member on board an offshore supply ship was taken to hospital this morning as the vessel headed towards Shetland.
Workers killed in explosion at Louisiana gas plant
Three people have died while two others have been seriously injured after an explosion at a natural gas plant in Louisiana. The fatally injured were contractors working at the Williams Partners facility in the town of Gibson which is around 60 miles from New Orleans. The two seriously injured are being treated at nearby hospitals following the explosion.
Worker airlifted to hospital after accident on North Sea rig
An oil worker has been airlifted to hospital after an accident on a North Sea platform. The Coastguard 951 helicopter was called to the Prospector 1 platform, 150 miles east of Aberdeen around 6.55am today. The man was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) with a potentially life threatening injury after an accident on the rig yesterday.
ExxonMobil fined $2.63million for crude oil spill in Arkansas
ExxonMobil has been fined $2.63million for spilling crude oil in an Arkansas residential area two years ago. The company was hit with the cash penalty by the US pipeline safety office, the regulator said yesterday.
Survitec snaps up Survival Craft Inspectorate
Safety and survival specialist Survitec has acquired Aberdeen-based lifeboat builder Survival Craft Inspectorate (SCI) for an undisclosed amount.
North Sea copters in life raft safety checks
Extra safety checks are being carried out on North Sea helicopters after a potential problem with their life rafts was detected. Manufacturer Airbus Helicopters said yesterday about 25 of the Super Puma EC225LP aircraft were affected globally, including about six in UK offshore oil and gas operations. A spokesman for the firm said a routine inspection of an EC225LP had revealed an issue with its life raft mechanism, leading to a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) emergency air worthiness directive.
Falck wins safety award
Safety training provider Falck proved it practices what it preaches by winning an occupational health and safety award.
Step Change in Safety honoured for its work in energy sector
Industry body Step Change in Safety has been recognised for its contribution to the energy sector at the 2015 Northern Star Business Awards, held in Aberdeen.