The Norwegian offshore safety authority has completed an investigation of a crude oil spill from Statfjord field’s OLS B loading buoy in the Norwegian section of the North Sea on October 8, 2015.
According to the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway, the investigation has revealed nonconformities from the regulations.
The spill occurred during loading of crude from the Statoil-operated Statfjord A platform to the Hilda Knutsen shuttle tanker. An estimated six to seven cubic meters of oil leaked to the sea from the loading hose.
Wind and waves quickly broke down the slick and contributed to natural dispersion of the oil in the water column. According to the PSA, the spill occurred as a result of corrosion in one segment of the loading hose.
The investigation has identified nonconformities related to applying for permission to deploy chemical dispersants and to deficiencies in decision processes and change management. Also, improvement points have been identified related to deficiencies in the maintenance program and equipment for detecting pollution on the sea surface.
Statoil is operator for the Statfjord field. The investigation was conducted jointly by the three regulatory agencies: Petroleum Safet Authority Norway, Norwegian Environment Agency, and Norwegian Environment Agency between October 9, 2015 and September 22, 2016.
In a letter sent to Statoil, PSA Norway has given Statoil until October 24, to explain how the identified irregularities will be dealt with.