Investigation Report
Emergency Buoy Disconnect Failed Following Loss of Station
12-01-2025 1843 G15563 GC 237 Damaged/Disabled Safety System (EDS)
- BSEE
- Investigation Report
- Unknown
- Functional safetyLoss of station keepingMechanical failure
- Dynamic positioningInspection and maintenance
- Operator displays and control interfaces
- Functional testingIndependent audit and verificationPreventive maintenance
- Upstream oil and gas
- Offshore installationVessel
Summary
BSEE investigates a failed emergency buoy disconnect on Helix Producer 1 following weather-related loss of station. Subsea production shut in successfully, but a hydraulic piston failed to open. The report details disconnect-system testing, piston replacement and subsequent maintenance measures; teardown inspection found no cylinder failure, and no injuries or infrastructure damage were reported.
Classifications: Functional safety; safety instrumented systems; SIS.
Classifications: Loss of station keeping; drive-off; drift-off.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Dynamic positioning; DP; DP operations.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Operator displays and control interfaces.
Classifications: Functional testing; function test.
Classifications: Independent audit and verification.
Classifications: Preventive maintenance; preventative maintenance; planned maintenance.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Offshore installation; offshore platform; offshore rig.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.