The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) has launched an investigation of a serious lifting incident involving personal injury on the Askeladden facility on 10 February 2021.
This incident on the mobile drilling unit reportedly occurred in connection with lifting a transport hose for drilling fluids. The hose fell and hit a person working in the vicinity.
The injured person was flown to land by helicopter for medical treatment.
Operated by KCA Deutag Drilling Norge, Askeladden was working for Equinor on the Gullfaks field in the North Sea when the incident occurred.
Investigation
The PSA regards this incident as serious, and an investigation team drawn from its specialist staff is now starting work.
The main objective of the investigation is to identify the causes of the incident and possible lessons to be learnt, and to share this information with the industry.
In conducting its investigation, the PSA will
- clarify the course of events and the scope of the incident
- assess the actual and potential consequences of the incident
- identify direct and underlying causes
- identify nonconformities and improvement points related to the regulations
- apply necessary enforcement powers to correct possible regulatory breaches
- make public its findings
- contribute to experience transfer to and learning by other players in the petroleum sector.
Support for the police
The police have launched their own investigation of the Askeladden incident, and will receive petroleum-related technical support by the PSA.
