Investigation Report
The Public Inquiry into the Piper Alpha Disaster: Volume 1
The Public Inquiry into the Piper Alpha Disaster: Volume 1
- HSE
- Investigation Report
- Process Safety
- ExplosionFireHydrocarbon releaseLeadership and safety cultureRegulation and legislation
- Inspection and maintenancePressure testing
- Emergency response and rescue vesselProcess pipework and pipelinesPumpsRescue craftValve
- Competence and trainingEvacuation, escape and rescueFire protectionPermit to work
- Upstream oil and gas
- Offshore installation
Summary
Volume One of the public inquiry reconstructs the Piper Alpha disaster through witness testimony, experimental leak testing and explosion modelling. It attributes the initial condensate leak on a balance of probabilities to a non-leak-tight blind flange, and examines escalation, emergency systems, rescue, permit practices, management failures and regulatory inspections.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Fire; fire safety.
Classifications: Hydrocarbon release; hydrocarbon leak; oil and gas release.
Classifications: Leadership and safety culture; safety culture; safety leadership.
Classifications: Regulation and legislation; safety legislation; regulatory requirements.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Pressure testing; hydrostatic testing; pneumatic testing.
Classifications: Emergency response and rescue vessel; ERRV; standby vessel.
Classifications: Process pipework and pipelines; process piping.
Classifications: Pumps.
Classifications: Rescue craft; fast rescue craft; FRC; fast rescue boat; FRB.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Competence and training; competency assurance; safety training.
Classifications: Evacuation, escape and rescue; EER; escape and rescue.
Classifications: Fire protection; fire suppression; fire detection.
Classifications: Permit to work; PTW; work permit.
Classifications: Upstream oil and gas; oil and gas extraction; upstream petroleum.
Classifications: Offshore installation; offshore platform; offshore rig.
Themes: process safety.