Video: Pipeline explosion in South Texas causes evacuations
A natural gas pipeline explosion in the US has forced people to evacuate from their homes.
Health, Safety & Environment
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.
PSA launch investigation after incident on Heidrun platform
The Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) will investigate an accident involving a dropped object on the Heidrun field in the Norwegian Sea. The incident occurred earlier this week during a lifting operation on the production facility’s drill floor. The PSA said part of a grating came loose and dropped and hit a person working in the area below.
Bibby launches safety documentary after diver’s incredible rescue
A new documentary that recounts the rescue of a stranded diver will offer valuable insight that will help the industry deal with similar events in the future.
Tyco agrees global rights deal for RigDeluge technology
Fire protection multinational Tyco has agreed a global rights deal with Aberdeen-based RigDeluge to produce and market its oil and gas safety systems.
ESS wins health and safety accolade
Aberdeen-based ESS Offshore Support Services has won a gold award for its approach to occupational health and safety.
Statoil hit with improvement notice by PSA
Statoil has been criticised by the Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) over a number of maintenance failings at a North Sea field. The body said a number of non-conformities were found in connection with maintenance of offshore cranes, wire ropes and training of emergency preparedness personnel.
Lloyd’s Register conducts risk analysis work at Statoil refinery
Statoil has successfully completed a detailed risk analysis at its Norwegian downstream oil refinery, said Lloyd's Register this week.
Stena Drilling fined $231,000 after oil worker fatalities
Stena Drilling has been fined $231,000 by an Australian court following the death of two workers on an offshore drilling unit. The company had previously pled guilty to breaching its duty to provide a safe workplace. It followed the deaths of floorman Peter Meddens and toolpusher Barry Denholm who had been working on the Stena Clyde mobile offshore drilling unit.
Oil company pleads guilty to breaching safe workplace duties after death of workers
An oil company has pleaded guilty to breaching its duty to provide a safe workplace after the death of two workers on a rig. Stena Drilling Australia is expected to be sentenced next month after entering the plea at a Magistrates Court in Victoria. It followed the deaths of floorman Peter Meddens and toolpusher Barry Denholm who had been working on the Stena Clyde mobile offshore drilling unit.
North Atlantic Drilling to review regulations after investigation
The Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) has warned North Atlantic Drilling (NAD) that an incident on a drilling unit could have caused injury to staff. An investigation by the PSA was carried out after an incident on the West Venture in March this year when it was operating on the Troll field. It comes at the same time as Transocean were hit with a report outlining concerns over safety following an incident the same month.
Transocean urged to make safety improvements after worker injured
The Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) has called for a number of improvements to be made after a roustabout was injured on the Transocean Barents drilling unit. The incident, which happened in March this year, left the worker with injuries to his head, neck and back. He had been carrying out an inspection of the derrick when the accident happened.
Petroineos fined £24,000 after worker injured
The operators of the Grangemouth oil refinery have been fined £24,000 for safety failings related to an incident in which a worker was injured at the plant. The decision came after a Petroineos employee was sprayed in the face by low pressure steam. The worker had been in regulation personal protective equipment including a hard hat and safety glasses at the time of the incident.
Maersk Oil hit with improvement notice from HSE
Maersk Oil has been issued with an improvement notice from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after deadlines overran for work on the Gryphon Floating, Storage and Production Offloading vessel in the North Sea. A number of work orders were found to have been overdue on the vessel, which is 175 miles north east of Aberdeen. A spokesman for Maersk Oil said it was “committed” to improving its safety performance.
Statoil hit with improvement notice over ignition risk on platform
Statoil has been given a deadline by the Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) in Norway over a number of non-conformities and improvement points on the Heidmal gas processing platform in the North Sea. The list also includes the risk of ignition from the platform. The company has until August 24th to report on improvements it has made since the routine audit took place in June.
US pipeline shut-in after fire
A natural gas liquids pipeline has been shut after it went on fire in Colorado. Williams Companies said the incident occurred after the six-inch wide pipeline was struck by a third-party conduction excavation. No one was injured following the fire which was being monitored by the fire department.
Airbus taking offshore helicopter safety to new heights
More strides are being made to make North Sea commuting safer for passengers and pilots alike.