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Ekofisk Bravo Blowout Oilfield Incident

The Ekofisk Bravo Platform Blowout occurred on April 22nd 1977 at the Ekofisk oil field in the North Sea during workover operations. Due to human errors in equipment identification, misjudgment, and inappropriate well control planning, the Christmas tree valve stack was removed before a blowout preventer was installed, allowing a well kick that caused an immediate and uncontrolled release of oil and gas. No one was injured in the blowout, though it discharged an estimated 80,000-126,000 barrels of oil over 7 days before being capped. It highlighted the need for improved safety procedures and well control.

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Kesev Keshav
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432 views10 pages

Ekofisk Bravo Blowout Oilfield Incident

The Ekofisk Bravo Platform Blowout occurred on April 22nd 1977 at the Ekofisk oil field in the North Sea during workover operations. Due to human errors in equipment identification, misjudgment, and inappropriate well control planning, the Christmas tree valve stack was removed before a blowout preventer was installed, allowing a well kick that caused an immediate and uncontrolled release of oil and gas. No one was injured in the blowout, though it discharged an estimated 80,000-126,000 barrels of oil over 7 days before being capped. It highlighted the need for improved safety procedures and well control.

Uploaded by

Kesev Keshav
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Ekofisk Bravo Blowout Oil

field Incident
April 22nd 1977
Ekofisk Field

Discoverd by Phillips Petroleum Company in


1969
Belongs to Norwegian sector at North Sea
Considered foremost oil field of North Sea
The Ekofisk Bravo Platform Blowout

At B-14 production well


Incident happened when performing workover operations
When the crew busy pulling about 10,000 ft of production tubing
Production Chistmas tree valve stack was removed earlier
BOP was not installed
Well kicked and wrongly installed while the downhole safety valve failed caused immediate wild release of
oil & gas.
This blowout was the result of HUMAN ERROR which later caused mechanical malfunction of safety valve.
The Ekofisk Bravo Platform Blowout

Such HUMAN ERRORS were inc


luded :

Faults in equipment identificati


on
misjudgement
inappropriate planning & well c
ontrol and installation docume
ntation
Number of casuality loss

This event led to wastage of approximately 28, 000 barrel/day


Later resulting into overall discharge of 202, 380 bbls
30-40% oil was assumed to be evaporated
Overall spill estimate by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate was considered around 80, 000 bbls & 126, 0
00 bbls
Fortunately, the crew onboard was evacuated safely through lifeboats and later transferred to the supply ve
ssel.
Miraculously, no one was injured.
Number of casuality loss

Higher air temperature & rough seas helped the break-up of the most of the oil.
There was no major damage to the environment & shoreline pollution.
Besides, there was no major damage to the platform.
Finally, after 7 days, the well was capped in April 30 th 1977.
Regarded as the major blowout of the North Sea's history as it as the very first North Sea oil spill.
The ignition of oil & gas was prevented that led to no casualities and major injuries at
Lessons Learnt
Lessons Learnt
Lessons Learnt
Ekofisk Bravo Blowout Oilfield Incident

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