Investigation Report
Hydraulic Fluid Discharge Following BOP Control-Computer Switch
08-17-2006 02:00 G08035 AT/574 Pollution
- BSEE
- Investigation Report
- Unknown
- Environmental protection
- Drilling
- Blowout preventerOperator displays and control interfacesValve
- Alarm managementEnergy and process isolation
- Upstream oil and gas
- Marine waters
Summary
An investigation records hydraulic-fluid pollution following a BOP control-computer switch that generated a spurious release signal and activated riser-tensioner valves. Venting went unnoticed for seven hours; 250 gallons entered the sea. The LMRP remained connected. Measures included temporary recoil-system isolation, proposed closed-loop recovery, software corrections and requested alarm-priority changes.
Classifications: Environmental protection; environmental safety; pollution prevention.
Classifications: Drilling; well drilling.
Classifications: Blowout preventer; BOP; blow-out preventer.
Classifications: Operator displays and control interfaces.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Alarm management.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Marine waters.