This incident occurred while the mobile unit was drilling a production well on the Maria field in the Norwegian Sea, where Wintershall Dea is the operator.
West Mira is operated by Seadrill.
While drilling was under way, the LMRP became disconnected from the blowout preventer (BOP). This resulted in the drill string being cut.
No personal injuries were suffered from the incident, but the PSA has received information about a discharge of about 40 cubic metres of oil-based drilling fluid to the sea.
The cause of the incident is so far unknown.
The PSA takes a serious view of what happened. An investigation team drawn from its technical specialists will be starting work as quickly as possible. For the time being, their work will be conducted without travelling offshore.
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During its investigation, the team will
- thoroughly review and clarify the course of events
- expose and describe the actual and potential consequences of the incident
- identify the direct and underlying causes
- clarify the division of responsibility
- utilise the necessary enforcement powers to correct possible regulatory breaches
- make the results of the investigation public
- contribute to experience transfer and learning of lessons by other players in the petroleum industry.
The investigation will be summed up in a report which will be published on psa.no