At 05.45, an ignited hydrocarbon leak was discovered in the process area at the plant. The fire is thought to have started on a flange in an area known as 1300/1400. It was identified by the automatic detection system.
Equinor is operator for the refinery, which stands near Bergen in Vestland county.
Investigation
The PSA has decided to launch its own investigation of this incident. The main objectives are to identify causes and relationships, and to share lessons learnt with the operator and the industry.
In conducting its investigation, the PSA will
- clarify the course of events and the scope of the inciden
- assess harm caused to people, material assets and/or the environment
- assess the potential consequences of the fire
- assess direct and underlying causes of the incident
- assess lessons learnt and experience transferred by the plant after earlier incidents
- assess relevant recent reviews conducted by Equinor at the Mongstad plant
- identify nonconformities and improvement points related to the regulations
- apply necessary enforcement powers to correct possible regulatory breaches
- make public its finding
- contribute to experience transfer to and learning by other players in the petroleum sector.
The investigation will be summed up in report published at psa.no.