An investigation has been launched into a close-call incident on ExxonMobil’s Hebron platform in Canada, offshore Newfoundland.
ExxonMobil Canada has disclosed that on 14 September 2021, during preparations for an upcoming lift on the Hebron platform, the south intervention deck auxiliary hoist hook, weighing 3.6kg, fell 5m-6m to the deck.
No injuries were reported, and the hoist operator was the only individual in the area and was located about 6m away.
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB), which regulates petroleum-related activities in the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area, said that, according to the dropped objects prevention scheme calculator, the incident had the potential for fatality.
The regulator also confirmed that ExxonMobil has stopped all auxiliary crane operations and has launched an investigation into the root cause of the6 incident, which is being monitored by the C-NLOPB.
This is not the first incident reported on the platforms owned by ExxonMobil. The latest one was in August 2021, when a worker on the Avalon Sea support vessel was injured while supporting activities associated with lifeboat winch load testing on the platform. The injured worker was transferred to the Hebron platform for treatment by the platform nurse.
The Hebron platform consists of a stand-alone gravity-based structure, which supports an integrated topsides deck that includes living quarters and drilling and productions facilities. The platform has a storage capacity of 1.2mmbbl of oil.
The platform is operated by the ExxonMobil affiliate ExxonMobil Canada Properties, which holds 35.5% equity in the project. Chevron Canada Limited holds 29.6%; Suncor Energy Inc. holds 21%; Statoil Canada Limited holds 9%, and Nalcor Energy-Oil and Gas Inc. holds 4.9%.
