Norway’s Petroleum Safety Authority has criticized Royal Dutch Shell over safety concerns at one of the company’s offshore oil rigs. The agency has ordered the company to review its safety procedures.
The rebuke is linked to an oil maintenance incident that occurred on December 4, 2010 on Shell’s Draugen facility in the shallow waters off Norway’s west coast. During a valve replacement, the valve became stuck, blocking the upper master valve, and leaving just one barrier protecting against hydrocarbon outflow from the well.
The incident did not result in injuries to the offshore oil personnel. However, according to the Petroleum Safety Authority, it did have the potential to cause serious injuries and fatalities. The Petroleum Safety Authority acknowledged that it’s impossible to develop foolproof methods to prevent such incidents, but it is important to have a proper understanding of the risks that can be expected in order to prevent the loss of barriers in such incidents.
The Petroleum Safety Authority has ordered Shell to conduct a complete review of its safety procedures by 1 June. The company has been warned to refine its plans to improve well intervention and control strategies. The company is also required to notify the Petroleum Safety Authority when the order has been complied with. Shell has responded to the criticism, saying that it will comply with the order and will use the results of the review to avoid any such incidents in the future.
The maritime attorneys at Maintenance and Cure represent maritime workers injured in offshore oil rig, and offshore oil platform accidents in the Gulf of Mexico and across the globe.
