Offshore workers were exposed to the risk of fire and explosion after blunder led to a gas leak on a southern North Sea installation.
Written by Alan Shields –
The uncontrolled release took place on the Barque PB, a normally unmanned platform, on July 19.
Around 138kg of flammable hydrocarbon gas was released from pipework connected to the vessel V2000, according to the Health and Safety Executive.
A subsequent probe found that flammable gas had been used to leak test the pipework instead of inert nitrogen gas – which was available.
Failings were found in the arrangements for the effective planning, organising and control for the reinstatement of the pipework.