Safety Concerns In The North Sea – Have We Learned Anything From Piper Alpha?
It is widely recognised that the offshore oil exploration industry is one of the most safety conscious in the UK. The risks however are considerable and not to be underestimated. The safety record of the whole industry was called into question after the Piper Alpha disaster off the coast of Scotland in 1988. With new technologies such as HPHT wells being considered for use in the North Sea, could Piper Alpha happen again?
The Piper Alpha disaster happened on 6 July 1988, when there was a massive explosion and fire on the platform due to a missing safety valve. Gas pressure had built up gradually through the course of the day, and by evening was at critical levels. A tiny spark was all it took to cause a massive explosion shortly after 10pm. The explosion and resulting fire led to the deaths of 167 out of the 226 men on board and the complete destruction of the rig itself. The fire was so intense that it could be seen for over 70 miles away. Piper Alpha remains the worst ever offshore accident in the history of oil production.
After the disaster, all oil companies looked long and hard at their practices and procedures. Safety became the paramount concern, and the subsequent enquiry by Lord Cullen produced a 500 page report with recommendations. One of the most important changes was the introduction of automatic shut-down valves, to starve a fire of fuel. Had these valves been in operation on Piper Alpha, the loss of life would have been considerably less. There have also been significant improvements in the design and manufacture of rigs and staff now working offshore report that the industry is increasingly safety aware. Some companies however perform better than others, and the onus is also on all staff and employees offshore to ensure that safety regulations are adhered to and that any problems are reported immediately to senior management. The workforce is now involved to a much higher degree in discussions about safety policy and in drawing up recommendations.
Oil drilling and exploration is constantly changing, and as the world’s demand for oil increases companies are looking to new regions or locations that were previously considered too difficult or expensive to access. The new HPHT wells could mean that companies can access difficult to reach oil reserves, but there will be additional concerns from both rig workers and people living nearby about the safety implications of extracting oil using these techniques. The legacy of Piper Alpha should go some way to ensuring that safety is always the prime consideration, wherever in the world oil companies are operating.