PSA serves order on Maersk Drilling following North Sea fatality

Norway’s Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) investigation of last month’s fatal accident on jack-up rig Maersk Interceptor has identified serious shortcomings in systems and processes for materials handling.

Maersk Interceptor is engaged in well work in the North Sea’s Tambar field, where Aker BP is the operator.

The December 7 accident occurred during the installation of a new seawater pump. One person fell into the sea and was killed, while another suffered serious injuries.

A PSA team was on board the unit from December 9 to 13 as part of the investigation.

Maersk Drilling Norge has been given notice of an order, which it must comply with by February 28.

It includes requirements to review systems for follow-up and use of portable lifting equipment on all facilities in use on the Norwegian continental shelf, including internal control, training of personnel using such equipment and transferring experience with using such equipment.

It must also systematically identify and review all operations related to the materials-handling process for the installation of seawater pumps on all facilities in use on the Norwegian continental shelf, identify risks and implement necessary measures.

Maersk Drilling Norge has also been requested to present a plan for complying with the legally binding order no later than January 11.


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