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Piper Alpha

The Piper Alpha disaster and how it changed the oil and gas industry

It was the night between 6 and 7 July 1988 when Piper Alpha – a North Sea oil platform just 120 miles from Aberdeen – exploded, resulting in the death of 167 men.

Today, the Piper Alpha disaster serves as a reminder that health and safety should always be paramount in the oil and gas industry.

The Piper Alpha Disaster

Piper Alpha Memorial Garden

North Sea

Piper Alpha memorial statue granted listed status

All Piper Alpha Posts

Opinion

Opinion: New digital resource can reduce risk in an age of fewer workers, longer hours

On July 6, 1988, an explosion and resulting fire destroyed Piper Alpha, killing 167 people.  That was 29 years ago, but the legacy from Piper Alpha lives on today.  Many lessons have been learned, however, the real dangers of oil and gas offshore operations are still very real.  The industry needs to assure colleagues, friends and families that safety and the environment are still its number one focus.

Opinion

Opinion: Remembering Piper Alpha

As an apprentice at Dounreay back in July 1988, I remember very clearly travelling the 22 miles from Thurso across the far north east corner of Scotland to Wick, to look out to sea.

North Sea

Piper Alpha: A nation plunged into grief

Lest we forget. 28 years on from the worst disaster in the North Sea's history, Energy Voice looks back on how the  Piper Alpha tragedy unfolded and changed the role of safety offshore forever. This excerpt was published on Friday July 8, 1988.

North Sea

Piper Alpha: Sobbing woman greets survivor

Lest we forget. 28 years on from the worst disaster in the North Sea's history, Energy Voice looks back on how the Piper Alpha tragedy unfolded and changed the role of safety offshore forever. This excerpt was published on Thursday, July 7, 1988 at 5am.

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