July 19, 2011 by offshoreenergy
In light of the 2009 helicopter crash that killed 17 workers offshore Newfoundland and the rash of other helicopter incidents around the world, helicopter safety is a major concern for the offshore industry and regulators. This FAA decision (link courtesy of Cheryl Anderson) is sure to be controversial in Atlantic Canada and elsewhere.
The U.S. aviation regulator says it won’t require the retrofit of a gearbox blamed in a fatal helicopter crash off Newfoundland because it would be too expensive for the industry.
The decision by the Federal Aviation Administration rejects a call by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada to phase-in a requirement that all Sikorsky S-92A gearboxes be capable of operating at least 30 minutes after losing oil.
The March 2009 crash of Cougar Flight 491 resulted in 17 deaths during a flight to an offshore oil platform, and has brought demands from the families of the victims that regulators in the United States, Canada and Europe change the rules governing the gearbox.
The FAA memo on the decision, obtained by The Canadian Press under U.S. freedom of information legislation, says the service record of the helicopter no longer supports the certification’s basic premise that the chances of an oil leak are “extremely remote.”
Posted in accidents | Tagged Canada, FAA, helicopter crash, helicopters, Newfoundland | Leave a Comment »
July 19, 2011 by offshoreenergy
Encouraging report from Steve Walker and his HSE colleagues.
Figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that there were 73 major or significant hydrocarbon releases associated with offshore installations in 2010/11, compared with 85 the previous year. There were 61 recorded in 2008/09 – the lowest since HSE began regulating the industry. Overall, there continues to be a downward trend in the total of all reported hydrocarbon releases offshore.
For the fourth year running, no workers were killed during offshore activities regulated by HSE and 2010/11 also saw a fall in the number of major injuries. There were 42 reported compared with 50 the previous year, bringing the total in line with the average of the previous five years.
Posted in accidents | Tagged gas releases, HSE, North Sea, offshore, safety, Steve Walker, UK | Leave a Comment »
July 19, 2011 by offshoreenergy
The 2011 Operational Review will examine NOPSA’s activities and legislated functions including engagement with stakeholders, particularly in relation to Safety Case development and the implementation and promotion of improved workplace safety practices and culture.
NOPSA CEO, Jane Cutler, said she welcomes the commencement of the 2011 Operational Review and will be keen to cooperate with the Review team and read the recommendations of the final report, scheduled to be handed to the Minister by Wednesday November 30.
Regular external reviews are valuable if for no other reason than to promote informed discussion, and to provide an opportunity for the public and regulated industry to provide input to an independent panel.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Australia, NOPSA, operational review | Leave a Comment »
July 15, 2011 by offshoreenergy
14.07.2011 | On Wednesday 13 July, a fire broke out in the compressor area of Valhall PCP. Today the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) will send two representatives to Valhall to investigate the incident.
The fire, which was reported to the authorities yesterday afternoon, started at around 4.40 p.m. A standby vessel was deployed to put out the fire and at 6.45 p.m. it was confirmed that the fire had been extinguished. All personnel were evacuated and there were no injuries.
link
Posted in accidents | Tagged accidents, compressor, fire, Norway, offshore oil and gas, PSA, safety, Valhall | Leave a Comment »
July 14, 2011 by offshoreenergy
The oil is most likely from natural seeps, but the Coast Guard is investigating. Link provided by Cheryl Anderson:
An MH-65 helicopter flew over the area Wednesday evening just before sunset but did not spot any spill or sheen, or any other oiled birds. Coast Guard officials tell KEY News they have contacted the owners of the oil platforms in the channel but none of them have reported a spill or had transferred any fuel or oil in the past day.
Posted in seeps | Tagged natural seeps, offshore oil, oil spill, pelicans, Santa Barbara | Leave a Comment »
July 14, 2011 by offshoreenergy
Per Upstream:
A fire at BP’s Valhall oil platform off Norway in the southern part of the North Sea forced the UK supermajor to halt production and evacuate the facility today.
Valhall Complex (www.mfox.nl)
Posted in accidents, Norway | Tagged fire, North Sea, Norway, offshore oil, production, Valhall | Leave a Comment »
July 13, 2011 by offshoreenergy
Good find by Cheryl Anderson:
Platform Hogan, Santa Barbara Channel
A Marine with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s maritime raid force searches the oil platform Hogan for threats during an exercise July 10. The MRF, along with a section of the unit’s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), and command element, are taking part in a large-scale exercise with ocean and urban-based scenarios.
Posted in California | Tagged California, exercise, Hogan, Marines, Pacific, security | Leave a Comment »
July 11, 2011 by offshoreenergy
BOE’s Cheryl Anderson picked up this AP report. Helicopter accidents continue to be a leading cause of offshore casualties.
A helicopter carrying crew from an offshore drilling rig crashed into the sea off Myanmar, killing three people on board. Eight were rescued.
The aircraft was carrying staff of the Malaysian oil company Petronas from the Yetagun offshore gas field in the Andaman Sea.
The oil field is operated by Petronas Carigali of Malaysia, PTTEP of Thailand and Japan’s Nippon Oil company. Petronas also operates a cross-border gas pipeline to transport gas from Yetagun to Thailand.
Posted in accidents | Tagged accidents, helicopter crash, helicopters, Maylasia, Myanmar, Petronas, PTTEP | 1 Comment »
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Bud's Offshore Energy (BOE) 