North Sea News
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Major Oil Discovery in Danish North Sea
More
Frankfurt, 25th March 2013
Germany's Wintershall GmbH has made what it says could be a major oil discovery in the Danish North Sea, pending appraisal drilling.
Wintershall, the exploration arm of chemicals group BASF, said in a press release that it had found potentially 100 million barrels of recoverable oil in the Hibonite exploration well.
The well lies about 337km north of Den Helder in the Netherlands and 278km west of the Danish port Esbjerg.
Germany's Wintershall GmbH has made what it says could be a major oil discovery in the Danish North Sea, pending appraisal drilling.
Wintershall, the exploration arm of chemicals group BASF, said in a press release that it had found potentially 100 million barrels of recoverable oil in the Hibonite exploration well.
The well lies about 337km north of Den Helder in the Netherlands and 278km west of the Danish port Esbjerg.
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North Sea Near Miss Investigation Opened
Edinburgh, Thursday 11th April 2013
Probe into North Sea helicopter near miss - Transport - Scotsman.com
Edinburgh, Thursday 11th April 2013
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into an incident in which an air ambulance and a North Sea helicopter were involved in a near miss off the Aberdeenshire coast.
The two helicopters were involved in the alert last December while they were flying at 1000 ft two and a half miles east of Aberdeen International Airport.
One of the helicopters was a a Bond EC135 helicopter being operated on behalf of the Scottish Ambulance Service and the other an AS332 Super Puma on an offshore crew change flight. There were no patients on board the air ambulance.
The incident is being investigated by officials from the UK Airprox Board after an air proximity report was filed by Bond on 2 April.
A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said: “The investigation is currently ongoing and it could be from three to six months until the report is published. It essentially is a near miss, but we don’t yet know what the separation distances were – that is, how close the two aircraft were to each other. That will come out once the investigation is complete and when the report has been published.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said : “Bond Air Services has advised that the pilot of an EC135 helicopter operated for the Scottish Ambulance Service reported an ‘air proximity event’ to the Civil Aviation Authority.
“The incident occurred near Aberdeen Airport and no patients were on board the aircraft at the time. The report is currently being assessed by the CAA.”
The two helicopters were involved in the alert last December while they were flying at 1000 ft two and a half miles east of Aberdeen International Airport.
One of the helicopters was a a Bond EC135 helicopter being operated on behalf of the Scottish Ambulance Service and the other an AS332 Super Puma on an offshore crew change flight. There were no patients on board the air ambulance.
The incident is being investigated by officials from the UK Airprox Board after an air proximity report was filed by Bond on 2 April.
A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said: “The investigation is currently ongoing and it could be from three to six months until the report is published. It essentially is a near miss, but we don’t yet know what the separation distances were – that is, how close the two aircraft were to each other. That will come out once the investigation is complete and when the report has been published.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said : “Bond Air Services has advised that the pilot of an EC135 helicopter operated for the Scottish Ambulance Service reported an ‘air proximity event’ to the Civil Aviation Authority.
“The incident occurred near Aberdeen Airport and no patients were on board the aircraft at the time. The report is currently being assessed by the CAA.”
Thread Starter
Record investment planned for North Sea
More: Financial Times
Aberdeen Traffic Down
More: HeraldScotland
London, 12th April 2013
Record levels of investment will flow into the North Sea this year as 14 new oilfields come into production, triggering a historic rise in oil and gas output after more than a decade of decline.
According to Oil & Gas UK, the offshore industry group, some 470m barrels of oil and gas will come on stream in 2013 – a fivefold increase on the average over the past three years. The group’s chief executive, Malcolm Webb, told the Financial Times that capital investment in new fields will rise from £11.4bn in 2012 to £13bn this year – the highest ever.
Record levels of investment will flow into the North Sea this year as 14 new oilfields come into production, triggering a historic rise in oil and gas output after more than a decade of decline.
According to Oil & Gas UK, the offshore industry group, some 470m barrels of oil and gas will come on stream in 2013 – a fivefold increase on the average over the past three years. The group’s chief executive, Malcolm Webb, told the Financial Times that capital investment in new fields will rise from £11.4bn in 2012 to £13bn this year – the highest ever.
Aberdeen Traffic Down
Glasgow, 13th April 2013
Aberdeen Airport continued to feel the effects of a drop in helicopter traffic, sparked by the continued grounding of the Super Puma EC225 model because of technical faults.
New figures show that 267,341 passengers used the airport in March, down 3% year on year, which was put solely down to decreased helicopter activity.
Helicopter passenger numbers dropped by 18%, with the decline offset by a growth in domestic services to destinations like Sumburgh on Shetland.
Aberdeen Airport continued to feel the effects of a drop in helicopter traffic, sparked by the continued grounding of the Super Puma EC225 model because of technical faults.
New figures show that 267,341 passengers used the airport in March, down 3% year on year, which was put solely down to decreased helicopter activity.
Helicopter passenger numbers dropped by 18%, with the decline offset by a growth in domestic services to destinations like Sumburgh on Shetland.
... domestic services to destinations like Sumburgh ...
Last edited by diginagain; 14th Apr 2013 at 00:34.
Thread Starter
Investigators probing two separate ditchings of Super Puma helicopters in the North Sea have called for tighter regulations around the technology used by rescuers to locate survivors in the event of an aircraft crash
9th May 2013
More: Call for review of Super Puma safety feature | Herald Scotland
9th May 2013
In May, all 14 passengers and crew members on a Super Puma were rescued after the craft came down off the coast of Aberdeen. It was on a scheduled flight from Aberdeen Airport to a platform in the North Sea.
The model was thrust into the spotlight again in October when a CHC-owned helicopter was forced to ditch while carrying an oil crew from Aberdeen to a rig 86 miles north-west of Shetland. The 17 passengers and two crew were rescued and escaped injury.
An earlier AAIB bulletin blamed a problem in the aircraft's gearbox for the crash.
Today, the AAIB report warns water flooding the cabin may have caused the CPI to cut-out in the May ditching, and that improvements were needed to ensure search parties could locate a helicopter and its passengers if ditchings occur in future.
CPI is a "primary location aid" which transmits a beacon signal that can be detected by satellites, pinpointing a stricken aircraft's location.
In the first crash, the AAIB reports that CPI – supposed to be water-activated – was not triggered, possibly due to electrical failures.
The report said: "Photographs show the water level in the cabin was above the level of the water activated switch. While further work is required to support any final conclusions, issues relating to the continuity of the helicopter wiring when submerged, the design of the water activated switch and the location of the water activated switch relative to the water level following the ditching are being investigated as possible causes for the non-deployment of the CPI."
The model was thrust into the spotlight again in October when a CHC-owned helicopter was forced to ditch while carrying an oil crew from Aberdeen to a rig 86 miles north-west of Shetland. The 17 passengers and two crew were rescued and escaped injury.
An earlier AAIB bulletin blamed a problem in the aircraft's gearbox for the crash.
Today, the AAIB report warns water flooding the cabin may have caused the CPI to cut-out in the May ditching, and that improvements were needed to ensure search parties could locate a helicopter and its passengers if ditchings occur in future.
CPI is a "primary location aid" which transmits a beacon signal that can be detected by satellites, pinpointing a stricken aircraft's location.
In the first crash, the AAIB reports that CPI – supposed to be water-activated – was not triggered, possibly due to electrical failures.
The report said: "Photographs show the water level in the cabin was above the level of the water activated switch. While further work is required to support any final conclusions, issues relating to the continuity of the helicopter wiring when submerged, the design of the water activated switch and the location of the water activated switch relative to the water level following the ditching are being investigated as possible causes for the non-deployment of the CPI."
Thread Starter
Corrosion probably caused North Sea helicopter ditchings
Eurocopter identifies factors that caused emergency landings
Evening Express - Article - ?Corrosion probably caused North Sea helicopter ditchings?
Eurocopter identifies factors that caused emergency landings
By David Ewen chief reporter
Published: 10/05/2013
The “probable” cause of two helicopter ditchings has been revealed.
Manufacturer Eurocopter has identified corrosion as one of the factors that forced two Super Puma EC225s to land in the North Sea.
In May last year, 14 passengers and crew members on a Super Puma helicopter were rescued after it ditched about 30 miles off the coast of Aberdeen.
And in October, 17 passengers and two crew escaped injury after a gearbox problem caused a helicopter to ditch near Shetland while carrying an oil crew from Aberdeen to a rig.
Published: 10/05/2013
The “probable” cause of two helicopter ditchings has been revealed.
Manufacturer Eurocopter has identified corrosion as one of the factors that forced two Super Puma EC225s to land in the North Sea.
In May last year, 14 passengers and crew members on a Super Puma helicopter were rescued after it ditched about 30 miles off the coast of Aberdeen.
And in October, 17 passengers and two crew escaped injury after a gearbox problem caused a helicopter to ditch near Shetland while carrying an oil crew from Aberdeen to a rig.
Thread Starter
Petroleum Safety Authority Audits Ekofisk Helideck
The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA), with assistance from the Civil Aviation Authority, carried out an audit of Ekofisk 2/4-L facility on 4 – 5 April 2013.
The objective of the audit was to verify that Ekofisk 2/4-L , located in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, was built in accordance with regulatory requirements within the preparedness discipline, including helicopter operations/helicopter deck. One nonconformity was identified in relation to the helicopter approach and departure sector.
Furthermore, improvement items were identified in connection with signposting and labelling of escape routes; life jackets; rescuing personnel from locked cabins and MOB boat handling.
PSA Displeased with Ekofisk Helipad| Offshore Energy Today
Courtesy of HeliHub
The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA), with assistance from the Civil Aviation Authority, carried out an audit of Ekofisk 2/4-L facility on 4 – 5 April 2013.
The objective of the audit was to verify that Ekofisk 2/4-L , located in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea, was built in accordance with regulatory requirements within the preparedness discipline, including helicopter operations/helicopter deck. One nonconformity was identified in relation to the helicopter approach and departure sector.
Furthermore, improvement items were identified in connection with signposting and labelling of escape routes; life jackets; rescuing personnel from locked cabins and MOB boat handling.
PSA Displeased with Ekofisk Helipad| Offshore Energy Today
Courtesy of HeliHub
Ekofisk helideck 1977 - 1982
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Ekofisk 2/4-L - Journalist error
Hi Folks
That offshore energy today article is misleading -
- The photo does not show Ekofisk 2/4-L.
- Nor is Ekofisk 2/4-L "located in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea".
Ekofisk 2/4-L is located in Singapore.
She's a brand new platform,
still under construction in the builders yard.
PTIL report (google translation).
ambi -
Ekofisk Sør Flare, plus some of the platforms, were removed a few years ago.
EDIT -
Looks like both flares have now been removed.
Pics of Ekofisk's recent layout.
ATB
Paul
That offshore energy today article is misleading -
- The photo does not show Ekofisk 2/4-L.
- Nor is Ekofisk 2/4-L "located in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea".
Ekofisk 2/4-L is located in Singapore.
She's a brand new platform,
still under construction in the builders yard.
PTIL report (google translation).
ambi -
Ekofisk Sør Flare, plus some of the platforms, were removed a few years ago.
EDIT -
Looks like both flares have now been removed.
Pics of Ekofisk's recent layout.
ATB
Paul
Last edited by BASys; 15th May 2013 at 12:42. Reason: Spelung
Aviation Seminar in Aberdoom 4 June
Any other Ppruners going?
Don't have much say over where I will be staying but open to suggestions for evening entertainment/locations............
Don't have much say over where I will be staying but open to suggestions for evening entertainment/locations............
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You can't beat The Thistle Hotel at the airport for accommodation and entertainment.
Try to get a room overlooking the courtyard and if you are lucky enough to be there on a Saturday night the entertainment will be in the form of drunken, kilt wearing Scots flighting after the wedding reception.
Try to get a room overlooking the courtyard and if you are lucky enough to be there on a Saturday night the entertainment will be in the form of drunken, kilt wearing Scots flighting after the wedding reception.
Thread Starter
.. and if you are lucky enough to be there on a Saturday night the entertainment will be in the form of drunken, kilt wearing Scots fighting after the wedding reception.
About the conference:
Venue: Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre
Bridge of Don
Aberdeen
AB23 8BL
Date: 04 Jun 2013
Start Time: 09:00
End Time: 17:00
Offshore helicopter incidents focus the minds of everyone involved in the oil and gas industry; particularly the workers who travel every day by helicopter to and from oil and gas installations. Even 'day to day' in-flight occurrences requiring flight crews to return to base en route offshore can be just as concerning to the passengers involved.
Confirmed Speakers:
Nigel Talbot and Francesco Bellardi, AgustaWestland
Chester Armstrong and Brian Pattinson, UK CAA
Jake Molloy, RMT
Dan Hunter, Sikorsky
Mark Stevens, Shell Aircraft International
The theme of this year's seminar is:
As the oil and gas industry continues to work hard to improve offshore safety, what is being done by the aviation industry to provide safe, efficient and reliable helicopters to support offshore operations?
Bridge of Don
Aberdeen
AB23 8BL
Date: 04 Jun 2013
Start Time: 09:00
End Time: 17:00
Offshore helicopter incidents focus the minds of everyone involved in the oil and gas industry; particularly the workers who travel every day by helicopter to and from oil and gas installations. Even 'day to day' in-flight occurrences requiring flight crews to return to base en route offshore can be just as concerning to the passengers involved.
Confirmed Speakers:
Nigel Talbot and Francesco Bellardi, AgustaWestland
Chester Armstrong and Brian Pattinson, UK CAA
Jake Molloy, RMT
Dan Hunter, Sikorsky
Mark Stevens, Shell Aircraft International
The theme of this year's seminar is:
As the oil and gas industry continues to work hard to improve offshore safety, what is being done by the aviation industry to provide safe, efficient and reliable helicopters to support offshore operations?
So we have the manufacturers, the regulators, the customers and even Jake Molloy i.e the spin doctors!
Where are the operators? The ones that actually do deliver a safe operation!
Am I the only one that finds the "theme" somewhat insulting?
Where are the operators? The ones that actually do deliver a safe operation!
Am I the only one that finds the "theme" somewhat insulting?
Last edited by Variable Load; 19th May 2013 at 20:17.