On 6 july 1988, there was a massive leakage of gas condensate on piper alpha, which was ignited causing an explosion which led to large oil fires. Engulfed in fire, over the next few hours most of the oil rig topside modules collapsed into the sea. As shifts changed and the night crew aboard piper alpha assumed duties for the evening, one of the platforms two condensate pumps failed. Pdf in 1998, the explosion of the piper alpha platform claimed 167 lives. The piper alpha disaster in 1988, in which 167 people died, was caused by a small gas leak which led to the ultimate failure of pipelines under the offshore structure. The conference will be addressed by lord cullen, who chaired the month public enquiry that resulted in over 100 safety recommendations which made history for health and safety in the north sea. It appears your web browser is not configured to display pdf files. Water alone would not have put the oil fires out and with gas fires one should not even attempt to do so but it might have cooled the structure and pipelines gas line rupture which was the major escalating factor in the piper alpha disaster. The offshore industry response an indepth analysis at the current system of. It outlines the findings of the investigation in vol. Conference on chemical industrial disaster management cidm 1 1 case study presentation on piper alpha and san juanico incident conference on chemical industrial disaster management cidm c. Importance learning from major incident piper alpha disaster.
Piper alpha is an offshore oil and gas platform that suffered an explosion in july 1988, in one of the worst oil disasters in the history of the uk. Piper alpha platform, north sea offshore technology oil and gas. An evaluation of human failure contributions to piper alpha disaster. The piper alpha oil platform was a production installation in the uk sector of the north sea off the coast of north east scotland operated by occidental petroleum. Using concept maps to assess learning of safety case studies. A disaster which could have been, if not totally adverted, dramatically changed in course without the horrible loss of human life. Many of the platform crew retreated to the crew accommodation module, as they had 45 been trained, to await evacuation. About piper alpha placed at north sea, the platform began production in 1976, first as an oil platform and then later converted to gas oil production started in 1976 with about 250,000 barrels 40,000 m3 of oil per day increasing to 300,000 barrels 48,000 m3 a gas recovery m.
It began production in 1976, initially as an oilonly platform but later converted to add gas production. Piper alpha was designed to produce and export oil. Outline about piper alpha platform the happening event timeline cause of the disaster effect of the disaster key failures improvement and prevention conclusion 2. Jun 23, 2010 piper alpha disaster on an oil and gas platform in the north sea, july 1988 background what happened a series of explosions and an oil fed fire on the piper alpha oil and gas platform in the north sea on 6th july 1988, 120 miles northeast of aberdeen, killed 167 men. Human and organisational factors in major accident prevention. Hero diver fled to australia to escape his piper alpha hell. Piper alpha explosion, uk a major leak of gas condensate resulted in an explosion on the production deck of piper alpha. On july 6th 1988 an explosion on the rig led to an intense fire that killed 167 men. Nov 03, 2011 this report in two volumes is the final report on the public inquiry into the piper alpha platform disaster in the north sea by a parliamentary commission under lord cullen. Last month, a rededication ceremony and remembrance service marking the 25th anniversary of the piper alpha disaster was held in the newly restored memorial garden in aberdeens hazlehead park. Piper alpha remembered flames could be seen 100km away survivors and relatives are on monday commemorating the 10th anniversary of piper alpha, the worlds worst offshore oil disaster.
Pdf preventable disasters in the offshore oil industry. A blend of prescriptive and objective regulation is recommended. Lord cullen was scathing about piper alphas permit to work system which he said was based on binformal and unsafe practicec and was knowingly and flagrantly flouted. A total of 167 people died in the piper alpha fire making it the worlds worst offshore oil disaster. Piper alpha disaster on an oil and gas platform in the. This platform, located in the north sea approximately 177 kilometers from aberdeen, scotland, had 226 people on board at the time of the event, 165 of whom were killed.
Late in the evening of 06 july 1988, a series of explosions ripped through the piper alpha platform in the north sea. Jul 04, 20 the piper alpha disaster which killed 167 workers on 6 july 1988 off the coast of aberdeen is the worldsdeadliest ever oil rig accident. Bibliography building process safety culture tool kit. Piper alpha was an oil production platform in the north sea approximately 120 miles 190 km northeast of aberdeen, scotland, that was operated by occidental petroleum caledonia limited. Occidental piper alpha s operator, which was found guilty of having inadequate maintenance and safety procedures the enquiry made 106 recommendations for changes to north sea safety procedures. In 1988, as tharos, the vessel operated as a large firefighting, construction, diving support and accommodation vessel equipped with a helicopter and a hospital ship with 22 beds, that rescued survivors from the piper alpha oil platform disaster. On the day of the disaster, the pressure safety valve on one of piper alphas two large compres sors was removed for. Piper alpha the complete training package the bbc disaster series examines the worlds most dramatic catastrophes using brilliant bbc footage, recreations and interviews with key decision makers. Daughter of piper alpha victim putting together tribute book. It was caused by, according to reports, a leakage of gas condensate which was ignited causing an explosion which erupted into large fires.
The public inquiry into the piper alpha disaster cm 10. It began production in 1976, 2 initially as an oilonly platform but later converted to add gas production. The rig produced oil, gas and condensate primarily propane and was linked to two other drilling platforms via large undersea pipelines. A survivor of the piper alpha disaster flew halfway around the world to put the tragedy behind and ended. The piper alpha disaster in 1988 shocked the world, and changed. To examine the role of factors relating to the trauma, the survivors and the survivors circumstances.
The disaster and beyond what went wrong an overview of the events which led to the piper alpha disaster. Jul 05, 2016 the 6th july sees the anniversary of an industry and life changing event that took place in the north sea 28 years ago the piper alpha disaster. The crew worked to resolve the issue before platform production was affected. Alexander, susan klein skip to main content accessibility help we use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites.
Hon lord cullenthe public enquiry into the piper alpha disaster. It was connected by an oil pipeline to flotta and by gas pipelines to two other installations. Alpha, not a single drop of water was applied from piper alpha itself to any of the fires. The heat ruptured the riser of a gas pipeline from another installation. The accident killed 165 out of 226 crew members and two crew members from the standby vessel sandhaven. For open structures, the merge experiments series reported by merx et al 15,16. On the night of 67 july 1988 a major oil production platform known as piper alpha in the uk sector of the north sea was destroyed by explosion and fire, with the loss of 167 lives.
The british response the results of the official investigation by lord cullen, including the final recommendations of his investigation. Conference on chemical industrial disaster management cidm the piper alpha a large fixed platform was located in the piper field in north sea, some 110 miles northeast of aberdeen. The public inquiry into the piper alpha disaster journal. This paper examines the following aspects of offshore safety in oil and gas production systems before and after the piper alpha disaster. Piper alpha was a large offshore rig based 100km off the coast of aberdeen. Alpha disaster in 1988 in which 167 offshore workers died. Piper alpha platform, north sea offshore technology oil. Jul 04, 20 on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the piper alpha disaster, a north sea oil and gas insider claims safety measures are made a mockery by management bullying. This program utilizes a case study of the explosion and fire at the piper alpha oil platform in the north sea which resulted in the loss of 167 lives. This is piper alpha spiral to disaster bbc by green world group on vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. This acclaimed docudrama approach speaks to the viewers in a way nothing else can. The new engineer who must find a path to safety on a burning oil rig. At the height of the event, natural gas was being burned on piper alpha at a rate equivalent to the entire united kingdom natural gas consumption rate. The change in safety management for offshore oil and gas.
The offshore platform piper alpha, which was lo cated in the british sector of the north sea oil field and operated by occidental petroleum, was engulfed in a catastrophic fire on july 6, 1988. An evaluation of human failure contributions to piper. At the time of the disaster, the platform accounted for approximately ten percent of north sea. Both oil and gas was pumped from the two other platforms to piper alpha and subsequently pumped to shore. On july 6, 1988, explosions and fire on this north sea oil production platform killed 167. As shifts changed and the night crew aboard alpha piper assumed duties for the evening, one of the platforms two condensate pumps failed. The controversy around it was heightened when a report. Dec 12, 2011 then, identify the causes and consequences from all occurred effects of the accident. Pdf survivors of the piper alpha oil platform disaster. The piper alpha disaster, also known as the worst offshore disaster to happen in history occurred 30 years ago in 1988. The public inquiry into the piper alpha disaster cm 10 by william douglas cullen, lord cullen of whitekirk, 1990, hmso edition, in english. We undertook a survey of survivors of the piper alpha oil platform disaster 1988. But on july 6, 1988, the entire structure became consumed by a. The management of occupational health and safety in the.
This was subsequently followed by a number of smaller explosions which led to large oil. What caused the giant piper alpha oil rig explosion. Survivors of the piper alpha oil platform disaster. The piper alpha disaster in 1988 shocked the world, and changed offshore safety management and legislation in the north sea beyond recognition. Aug 20, 20 the piper alpha offshore oil and gas platform was owned by occidental petroleum. This documentary marks twentyfive years since the piper alpha oil rig disaster.
The authors come from a mixed blend of offshore disciplines, with over 80. Julian turner charts the safety improvements that have taken place in the 25 years since the. Like many other offshore platforms, piper alpha had an automatic firefighting. The retrofitting went on in several phases, starting with separation of condensate and ending with production of exportquality gas. Piper alpha disaster engineering and technology history wiki. May 06, 20 july 6, 1988, piper oilfield, north sea. This produced a further massive explosion and fireball that engulfed the piper alpha platform. This report in two volumes is the final report on the public inquiry into the piper alpha platform disaster in the north sea by a parliamentary commission under lord cullen. The piper alpha incident is still regarded as the worst offshore oil disaster in the history of the uk.
At weeks end more than 100 contract workers who had been refurbishing three other british platforms left their jobs, out of concern for their safety. Reading reports from past disasters, i am left with the. Drawing on both survivor testimony and the results of lord cullens later enquiry, the play recreates the events, in which neither occidental nor the operators. Although the cullen inquiry found occidental guilty of inadequate maintenance and safety procedures, no criminal charges were. Occupational health and safety management systems ohsms were developed in the aftermath of a number of welldocumented, serious industrial accidents during the 1970s and 1980s. It began production in 1976, but on july 6, 1988 it was the site of the worlds. The disaster that opened the nations eyes to the industry. Students were required to prepare concept maps using piper alpha disaster as the domain. Accident investigation 4 introduction the incident covered in this study is piper alpha disaster which took place in 1988. Pdf the british offshore oil industry after piper alpha. This led to the appointment of lord cullen, a senior scottish judge, to hold a public inquiry into the piper alpha disaster. May 25, 2014 importance learning from major incident piper alpha disaster 1 comment i t is vital that lessons are learned from all major incidents, as management, cultural and technical failure i. Piper alpha was a north sea oil production platform operated by occidental petroleum caledonia ltd. In november 1990 lord cullens report into the disaster severely criticised safety procedures on the rig owned by occidental.
The rupture of the gas risers pipelines from other installations produced. Learning from the piper alpha accident the offshore platform piper alpha, which was lo cated in the british sector of the north sea oil field and operated by occidental petroleum, was engulfed in a catastrophic fire on july 6, 1988. Piper disaster the hon lord cullen department of energy. But on july 6, 1988, the entire structure became consumed by a devastating and deadly fire. Highly visible incidents with farreaching economic and industry effects in which lives were lost include the piper alpha offshore accident 1988, the columbia space shuttle disaster 2003, and the bp texas city refinery explosion 2005. A total of 167 oil workers died when the production platform in the north sea caught fire with horrific consequences.
There will be many, far too many, like myself that. Now available in a totally new format with expert training. Piper alpha the house of lords landmark decision insight 167, 2002 01 aug 2002. The vessel carried out firefighting on the night of the disaster and supported the fire fighting and well kill operations that. The piper alpha disaster of 6th july 1988 resulted in the deaths of 167 men, injuries to 62 survivors and the total destruction of the oil platform by a series of. Summary after litigation originating in edinburgh and spanning nine years, the house of lords decision in february this year confirmed an insurers right to seek an indemnity in its insureds name. Piper alpha the house of lords landmark decision gard. Stanley sangster, was among the 167 victims of the piper alpha disaster on july 6, 1988. Piper alpha re ceived and sent to the shore the oil and gas production of a group of platforms. Lecture by brian appleton technical adviser to the enquiry on piper alpha accident. About piper alpha placed at north sea, the platform began production in 1976, first as an oil platform and then later converted to gas oil production started in 1976 with about 250,000 barrels 40,000 m3 of oil per day increasing to 300,000 barrels 48,000 m3 a gas recovery module. It was operated by occidental petroleum corporation. Highlights piper alpha offshore oil platform disaster used as a safety case study.
Analysis of 460 valid concept maps shows that after 15 weeks students still retained knowledge of the event. Ten years after the disaster, 78% 4659 of the survivors were located, of whom 72% 3346 agreed to be interviewed. Piper alpha was an oil production platform in the north sea approximately 120 miles 190 km. Download adobe acrobat or click here to download the pdf file. Piper alpha was an oil production platform in the north sea operated by occidental petroleum caledonia limited. On july 6, 1988, the piper alpha oil platform experienced a series of catastrophic explosions and fires. In the explosion and subsequent fire on the oil platform, 167. Echoes of events that led to piper alph being felt once more say trade unions. The conference will be addressed by lord cullen, who chaired the month public enquiry that resulted in over 100 safety recommendations which made history for health and safety in. Piper alpha was an oil production platform on north sea, approximately 110 miles from aberdeen, which was operated by occidental petroleum caledonia ltd. It produced oil from 24 wells and in its early life it had also produced gas from two wells. Fire in the night takes a very personal approach in describing the. Investigations into these incidents highlighted deficiencies in. May 10, 2014 bbc nine oclock news piper alpha 7th july 1988 part one duration.
Download as ppt, pdf, txt or read online from scribd. Piper alpha was a large north sea oil platform that started production in 1976. Apr 09, 2015 hero diver fled to australia to escape his piper alpha hell and wed the love of his life. An explosion on the piper alpha platform occurred in july 1988.
These include the 1974 flixborough accident, the 1976 seveso incident and the 1987 piper alpha disaster. Most of the victims suffocated in toxic fumes which developed after a gas leak set off the blasts and sparked the fire. Major function was to separate the fluid produced by the wells into oil, gas and condensate. Accident and the piper alpha disaster, both demonstrated the need for. Piper alpha disaster is an offshore disaster which occured in the north sea in july 1988. Since the piper alpha disaster in 1988, many changes have been. Piper alpha re ceived and sent to the shore the oil and gas production of. The requirement to export gas with the associated separation of condensate was an afterthought and involved extensive modification.
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