Canada’s Husky Energy has reported an unauthorized discharge of Blowout Preventer (BOP) control fluid from the semi-submersible drilling rig Henry Goodrich.
According to the Canadian offshore safety body C-NLOPB, the incident occurred on March 26, 2017.
Husky Energy estimates that 6397 liters of BOP control fluid (68% water, 28% Glycol and 4% Stack Magic) was released to the environment.
The drilling rig was disconnected from the BOP at the time of the release and had moved off the well due to impending weather.
The C-NLOPB is monitoring Husky Energy’s continued investigation of the incident.
In an email sent to Offshore Energy Today, a Husky Energy spokesperson said the rig had been at a delineation well northwest of the main White Rose field offshore Newfoundland and Labrador at the time of the incident.
“The fluid discharged is a BOP control fluid approved for use offshore NL, which is comprised primarily of water and glycol,” the spokesperson said.
The C-NLOPB spokesperson said, the spill had a minimal effect on the environment as the BOP control fluid was mostly comprised of water and glycol which is water soluble.
“The rig was on the well site at the time, but not connected to the well. The company has not yet submitted its investigation report to us. We will know more after we receive the report and review it,” the C-NLOPB spokesperson added.
Offshore Energy Today Staff