Over 30 years after the oil production platform in North sea suffered multiple explosions off Scotland taking lives of 167 people. This disaster made the oil and gas industry to look safety in new terms. Safety4sea has published recommendations in this regard.
Incident
The normal day for 226 crew members onboard, an oil production platform in the North Sea, located 120 miles north-east of Aberdeen, Scotland. At night, an explosion was heard on the deck of the platform, immediately followed by a fire which spread quickly in Module B and C.
Dense black smoke engulfed the upper parts of the platform. The initial explosion was followed by many smaller explosions. The crew had sent three Maydays, the third of which informed of an abandoning due to fire.
An emergency evacuation team headed to the scene, but flames and heavy smoke made the scenario of evacuation impossible. About 22 survivors, including diving personnel who were on duty, had left the platform.
After half an hour, another major explosion occurred due to the rupture of a high-pressure gas line connected to the Tartan platform. When the explosion occurred, it caused several men at the north-west corner and other parts of the platform to jump into the sea.
39 survivors had left the platform. At this point, another massive explosion occurred, most likely from the rupture of a Total-operated gas line, releasing gas flowing though oil platform from the Frigg field via MCP-01 to St Fergus. The structure of oil platform was so badly weakened that the topsides started to collapse.
By the early morning of, three-quarters of the original topsides, together with significant sections of the jacket, had been destroyed and lay in a tangled mass on the seabed 140 metres below. It took over three weeks for the fires to be extinguished.
Fatalities
A total of 167 people, including platform personnel and rescuers, lost their lives. Of these, 109 died from smoke inhalation, 13 by drowning, 11 of burn injuries and 4 from unidentified causes. 30 bodies were never recovered. Only 61 survived.
Findings
According to investigation, it was found that
- Initial explosion was most likely caused by a leak of hydrocarbons, arising from maintenance work being carried out simultaneously on a pump and related safety valve.
- After initial explosion platforms did not shut down production sooner.
- Operating company’s safety procedures, as poor communication and poor emergency management were also the cause of this incident.
Lesson learnt
- Disaster was preventable had existing progressive guidelines and practices been followed.
- Proper drill and proper training must be conducted onboard to prevent accident.
- Proper communication is very important during emergency operation.
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Source: Safety4sea
