Statoil evacuates north Sea platform – Bergensavisen

Songa Endurance work on the well G4 on the Troll field near the Troll B, when complications arose, writes Statoil in a press release.

the Incident was reported to the company’s emergency clock 09.50 Saturday. No one is reported injured, and there is no danger of spills.

– We’re flying now out somewhat additional qualified personnel, at the same time as a crew member without work in connection with the event are sent by the rig, ” says media relations in Statoil, Ole Anders Skauby, to BA.

current situation

Complications arose in connection with a drilling operation Saturday morning and was discovered when it got gas on the deck.

– the Crew were routinely mustered, and the necessary procedures were implemented. We take such incidents seriously, and both Statoil and Songa Offshore mobilized its beredskapsorganisasjoner, says Skauby.

Saturday night he says to BA that 22 people were moved from the drilling rig, and that so far was not planning to move more.

– This is still an ongoing situation, so we assess continuously how we handle the event. We mobilize and move the crew as a precautionary measure. The personnel on board and those who assist are trained in this kind of situations, there are clear procedures and routines for how we relate to this, ” Skauby to BA.

Waiting supplies the clock 2000

There is still pressure in the well, and efforts are underway to stabilize it. Liquid to stabilize the well is now sent out to the rig from shore to be able to make it work. These supplies are expected on the field around the clock 2000 on Saturday evening.

– We do not know so far the details of the event, but the short answer is that one of the two barriers in the well are gone. We should always have two barriers to ensure against leakage, if we lose a barrier, which may be a valve, cement or drilling mud, we get what we call a brønnkontrollhendelse. Then we need to restore the other barrier, and that is what we work with now, ” Skauby.

Good weather

the standby vessel Stril Merkur is on the field, and other resources, including helicopters, are available.

the Troll field is located in the northern part of the north Sea, about 65 kilometres west of Kollsnes in Hordaland county, and the weather conditions in the area are good.

Skauby said to BA that the incident will be investigated when it is clarified.

– It is important for us to find the underlying causes of such incidents so that we learn and understand what went wrong, said Skauby.