Statoil has accepted a 30-million kroner ($5.1-million) fine imposed earlier this year by a public prosecutor for Rogaland County, Norway, in connection with a May 2010 well-control problem at its Gullfaks C platform in the North Sea.
According to a study of the incident by the company, a hole developed in casing of a well that had reached total depth, causing loss of fluid to the formation during final circulation and wellbore cleaning of the reservoir section (OGJ Online, Nov. 5, 2010). The incident caused no injuries or environmental damage but required Gullfaks C production to be shut in for 2 months while barriers were restored in the well.
“The Gullfaks C incident has been thoroughly examined both by Statoil and other parties,” Statoil said in an announcement about its acceptance of the fine. “An extensive improvement program has been implemented throughout the company to ensure that learning is gained from the incident.”
