PHILLIPS HOMES IN ON EKOFISK SAFETY MEASURES

Phillips Petroleum Co. Norway said Apr. 28 it expected to submit to the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) within 2 weeks a revised program for short term safety measures on the Ekofisk platform in the Norwegian North Sea. NPD issued a warning to Phillips Apr. 5, saying it would enforce a directive committing the operator to carry out a work program specified by NPD unless a satisfactory safety plan were received within 3 weeks.

May 3, 1993

2 min read

NPD issued a warning to Phillips Apr. 5, saying it would enforce a directive committing the operator to carry out a work program specified by NPD unless a satisfactory safety plan were received within 3 weeks.

Ekofisk field, on Block 2/7, is subject to subsidence. Most of the field's platforms have been jacked up. The central tank platform was protected by a concrete barrier, but continuing subsidence made the platform vulnerable to a theoretical 100 year wave specified in NPD safety requirements (OGJ, Apr. 12, p. 27).

Phillips has received wave study reports from tests on models of five alternatives considered for long term changes to the tank platform (OGJ, Jan. 11, p. 28).

These require evaluation by Phillips prior to the decision on the preferred option in a safety plan to be submitted July 1 to NPD.

A Phillips spokesman said a sixth option was added in the last 2 months for evaluation. He declined to reveal details.