Piper Alpha: Red Adair’s plan to tame the fires
When world-famous US firefighter Red Adair flew in from Houston to orchestrate the operation to “kill” the Piper Alpha wells, the mission appeared immense. Some even thought it impossible. Read More
Piper Alpha and Offshore Health and Safety
Exclusive: HSE documents lay bare ‘alarming’ safety failings across North Sea platforms
Premium ContentHas the industry forgotten the lessons learned from Piper Alpha?
Premium ContentAnniversary reminds us there is no room for complacency in safety
Gold standard not gold plated: How the UK’s approach to health and safety is changing the world
Keeping ‘corporate memory’ alive of major oil and gas safety incidents
Premium Content
Piper Alpha Memorial Garden
Piper Alpha memorial statue granted listed status
The statue at the centre of the Piper Alpha memorial gardens in Aberdeen has been granted designated status following a row over proposed changes to the wider rose garden site. Read More
All Piper Alpha Posts
Council will have final say on any changes to Piper Alpha gardens
Aberdeen City Council has made clear it will have the final say over any proposed changes to memorial gardens in Aberdeen, as it consults with survivors and families affected by the Piper Alpha disaster.
Gallery: Memorial service held in Aberdeen to mark anniversary of Piper Alpha
Today marks the 34th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster that claimed the lives of 167 people working in the North Sea. A service was held at Aberdeen's Hazlehead park memorial gardens to remember those lost in the tragedy.
Piper Alpha oil rig disaster was the most difficult job of career for Red Adair
“If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do a job, wait until you hire an amateur.”
Piper Alpha anniversary: Survivors ‘still suffer from grief some 34 years on’
"You can tell that people are still impacted by what happened on the 6th July 1988", says Piper Alpha survivor Steve Rae.
Is it right to create fiction around the Piper Alpha disaster? Novel explores legacy of offshore tragedy
When the idea was first mooted for Iain Maloney to write a novel about the events around Piper Alpha, his answer was clear.
Piper Alpha survivor tells OEUK conference to share ‘personal stories’ to inspire safety culture
A North Sea health and safety leader has underlined the need for industry to take the “good practice” it has developed into the transition.
Future of Piper Alpha memorial gardens to be discussed by city councillors
The future of the gardens containing the Piper Alpha memorial is to be discussed at a full Aberdeen city council meeting on Wednesday.
‘No plans to intentionally rebrand or rename’ Piper Alpha gardens
There are “no plans to intentionally rebrand or rename” the gardens containing the Piper Alpha memorial, the Trust behind a mooted redesign has said.
Son of Piper Alpha victim criticises lack of consultation on garden plans
A man whose father was never recovered from the Piper Alpha disaster has criticised an "unthinkable" lack of consultation on plans to revamp the memorial gardens.
Industry asked to dig deep to fund £500k revamp of iconic North Sea Memorial Gardens
A raft of planned improvements have been earmarked for Aberdeen’s North Sea Memorial Gardens as part of a transformational re-design.
Theatre show links Piper Alpha to climate emergency
Former oil worker, climate activist and local artist John Bolland will explore the parallels between the current climate emergency and the Piper Alpha disaster in his new multimedia theatre production.
Piper Alpha survivor braves burning environment for first time in 33 years
A survivor of Piper Alpha has returned to an environment involving flames for the first time since the tragic incident 33 years ago to raise safety awareness.
Alistair Lynn: Police chief who headed Piper Alpha response dies
Alistair Lynn, who led Grampian Police’s response to the Piper Alpha disaster, has died aged 95.
Memorial service held in Aberdeen to mark 33 years since Piper Alpha disaster
A memorial service was held in Aberdeen today to mark 33 years since the Piper Alpha disaster, which claimed the lives of more than 100 men.
Piper Alpha: New research assesses disaster’s legacy in reducing oil and gas releases
New research has shed light on the role of the Piper Alpha disaster in preventing further oil and gas releases in the North Sea.
Son of Piper Alpha survivor looks to VR to help prevent industrial disasters
The son of a Piper Alpha survivor has launched a VR safety training initiative to help prevent further industrial disasters.
Piper Alpha: Charity faced down fundraising ‘cliff edge’ ahead of memorial service
The charity that ensures upkeep of the Piper Alpha memorial gardens has said it faced down a “cliff edge” for fundraising opportunities as the Covid outbreak took hold.
Piper Alpha priest Rev Canon James Alexander dies aged 94
Prison and RAF chaplain, Piper Alpha priest, Peterhead councillor and Aberdeen and Orkney canon, the Rev James Douglas Alexander has died at 94.
Remembering Ocean Odyssey
The blowout on the Ocean Odyssey exploration rig in 1988 is often overshadowed by Piper Alpha but is a significant event in oil & gas history.Derek Beddows, Archer Knight’s Director of Diving and Safety Services, recalls his time as part of the response, and the pioneering work which went into capping the well, 32 years ago this week.
Piper Alpha and its safety legacy – with Steve Rae
"If I had went into the accommodation I don't know if I would have ever came out"
Jim House: Remembering Piper Alpha
Piper Alpha was a disaster – in every sense of the word – and it claimed the lives of 167 fathers, sons, husbands and friends. This single catastrophic event significantly changed our industry forever.
International SOS: Trauma can affect us all
During this time of reflection, 32 years on from the Piper Alpha disaster, we must not forget the survivors, family and friends of those who lost their lives.
HSE’s guiding role amid Covid crisis
Two years ago, on the 30th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster we wrote about the challenges facing the North Sea: the large, experienced operators replaced with new entrants to the world of exploration, production and operatorship, the tight budgets and contractor margins.
Piper Alpha: Organisers overcome Covid challenges to hold virtual tribute
A Piper Alpha remembrance service will be held today to mark 32 years since the disaster after organisers overcame the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Step Change In Safety: Major accidents must be remembered
Managing the risks of Covid-19 has been at the forefront of our minds in recent months. However, we must be careful not to be distracted from the ever-present potential of major accident hazards (MAHs).