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BP evacuates North Sea oilfield as unmanned barge threatens rig BP evacuates North Sea oilfield after unmanned barge drifts nearby
(about 1 hour later)
BP has ordered an evacuation of staff from a North Sea oilfield as a large unmanned barge drifts in rough seas towards drilling platforms. BP has ordered the evacuation of staff from a North Sea oilfield after an unmanned barge threatened drilling platforms.
BP said all 235 people working on eight platforms in the Valhall oilfield were being moved to nearby facilities as a precautionary measure. The oil and gas group said all 235 people working on eight platforms in the Valhall oilfield were being moved to nearby facilities as a precautionary measure. However, a spokesman said the immediate danger was over after the barge drifted past the site.
A spokesman for the oil and gas group told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that workers on the platform could see the barge drifting towards the site, despite the rough weather and poor visibility. The barge is thought to have broken free of its anchor during storms on Wednesday. Salvage teams had been ordered to board the 110-metre barge, which broke away from its anchor in bad storms that caused one fatality at the nearby Troll field platform run by Statoil.
BP added that salvage teams were on the drifting vessel, which belongs to the Norwegian firm Eide Marine. “We have shut production down on Valhall as a precautionary measure,” said BP. “We have taken some of the workers to nearby platforms so that they can get production back up quickly when the situation improves.”
Valhall pumps 50,000 barrels a day during normal operations and is one of a series of fields operated by BP in both Norwegian and British sectors of the North Sea.
The decision to halt output from the field reduces the likelihood of any explosion or spill if the barge hit any of the platforms.
The barge is owned by Norway’s Eide Marine but the company was not working on the Valhall field.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed it was aware of the situation and that UK coastguards were on alert, but the barge remained in Norwegian waters.The Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed it was aware of the situation and that UK coastguards were on alert, but the barge remained in Norwegian waters.
A man died when a 60ft (18 metres) wave hit the accommodation block on another rig in the Troll oilfield, also in the North Sea off the Norwegian coast. The poor weather claimed one fatality after a man died when a 60ft (18-metre) wave hit the accommodation block on a platform in the Troll field off the coast of Norway. Three people were airlifted ashore by Norwegian rescuers, but one died from his injuries. He was said to be a Norwegian in his fifties.
Three people were airlifted ashore by Norwegian rescuers, but one died from his injuries. He was said to be a Norwegian in his fifties.
ConocoPhillips’ Ekofisk platform in the North Sea was also being evacuated on Thursday morning, according to the Norwegian broadcaster TV2.ConocoPhillips’ Ekofisk platform in the North Sea was also being evacuated on Thursday morning, according to the Norwegian broadcaster TV2.
The incidents off Norway highlight once again the dangers of working offshore. The Brae Alpha platform in the UK sector of the North Sea was forced to shut down on Boxing Day after a gas leak.
Trade unions have warned that 18 months of low oil prices have led to cutbacks in personnel which could eventually compromise safety.
The price of North Sea Brent crude was up 0.5% at $36.69 after heavy falls the previous day. However, it remains down from the $115 seen in the summer of 2014 and few expect a major bounce-back in the new year.