Gas Platform Suffers Fire Off Halifax
On January 19th, the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board (CNSOPB) was notified that a small fire that was contained within an electrical cabinet in the Emergency Switchboard Room (ESR) on the Deep Panuke platform.
The platform’s operator, Encana, advised the Board that the fire team on the platform responded, the electrical cabinet and ESR was de-energized and the fire extinguished. The damage was contained to the cabinet, that there were no injuries, and there was no potential for escalation to a serious incident. However, as a precaution, Encana transported non-essential construction personnel from the platform to shore while an investigation into this incident was carried out and repairs made.
The Deep Panuke platform is still under final construction and commissioning, and has not yet started production. Natural gas is yet to be introduced on to the platform. Prior to starting production, the platform requires a Certificate of Fitness issued by Lloyd’s Register as Certifying Authority attesting that it is in regulatory compliance, that it is fit for purpose, and that it can operate safely without polluting the environment. Additionally, an Operations Authorization – Production must be issued by CNSOPB. Neither the Certificate nor the Operations Authorization – Production will be issued until the platform has been fully commissioned and tested to the satisfaction of both Lloyd’s Register and the Board.
The CNSOPB made the following official statement yesterday:
The Board has received several inquiries about an incident which took place on the Deep Panuke Platform on Saturday, January 19th, 2013.
The Board’s role is to ensure that the Operator (Encana) responds to such incidents appropriately, and that investigations are conducted to the Board’s satisfaction.
Board safety officers have visited the Deep Panuke platform twice since this incident occurred, and findings from the Operator’s investigation have now been shared with the Board.
The Board, along with its certifying authority (Lloyd’s Register), have confirmed that necessary electrical repairs have been completed, and that the CO2 fire suppression system has been tested and put back in service.
The Operator advised the Board over the weekend of its intention to re-deploy construction personnel to the platform to resume construction activities. The Board is satisfied that appropriate corrective actions have been taken enabling the Operator to proceed.