PSA Norway gives BP one month improvement deadline following Ula hydrocarbon leak
27 November 2012
On November 26, Norway’s Petroleum Safety Authority issued a notification order in connection with the investigation of the hydrocarbon leak on the Ula field's P platform on 12 September 2012. Conditions were identified in relation to the fire and explosion protection that do not comply with regulatory requirements.
The PSA has ordered BP to improve process equipment passive fire protection on the Ula P platform
The authority said inadequacies identified in connection with the fire protection on the P facility are related to the integrity of the main substructure and process equipment, which are not equipped with passive fire protection. This "makes the consequences of a liquid fire rather unclear with regard to deformation of the structure and spread to other segments", the PSA said in a statement.
Deficiencies related to the integrity of the explosion partitions in the process module have also been identified, and BP has not presented measures which sufficiently correct or compensate for these nonconformities.
The PSA has therefore ordered BP to implement immediate and specific physical measures to correct insufficient compliance with the requirements related to fire and explosion protection on Ula P.
The deadline for complying with the order is 31 December 2012. The PSA also requests that BP initiate a meeting to provide the status of implementation of the work by Week 51. An order is a strongly preventive measure which is legally binding for the recipient.
The final investigation report on the comprehensive hydrocarbon leak in the Ula field has not yet been completed.
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