A fire broke out on 5 November 2018 on the West Phoenix mobile drilling facility. This rig is operated by Seadrill Management (Seadrill), and was drilling well 6406/2-9 S in Norwegian Sea with Equinor as the operator when the incident occurred

There were 117 people on board at the time.

The PSA decided on 7 November 2018 to investigate the incident. It has also provided technical support to the police in connection with their own inquiry.

The incident

The incident occurred in connection with testing drilling fluid (mud) in a retort in the lab.

A retort is an electrical apparatus used to measure and monitor the quantities of water, oil and solids in drilling fluid. While drilling is under way, the retort is normally used several times a day to check the density and content of solids and water in the fluid.

The retort was in use when the fire started. Nobody was present in the lab, but the smoke alarm was activated at 14.48, and personnel could confirm the presence of flames in the room immediately afterwards. A general alarm was activated at 14.52, and all personnel mustered. Personnel on board (POB) were confirmed at 14.59.

The fire team was in place at 14.59, using first powder and then water. Entry into the room was prevented by the high temperature, and the fire was therefore fought through the doorway. The fire was confirmed as extinguished at 15.10.

Actual consequences

The consequence of the incident was material damage and a five-day halt to drilling.

No people were injured during the incident.

Potential consequences

The mud lab was not regarded as an area with a high probability for a fire, and the walls met fire class A0. Had the fire not been quickly extinguished, it would probably have spread because flammable materials were stored and used in the room.

Fire damage to cables passing through the mud lab and/or the fire spreading to the adjacent cement operator station would have meant a longer halt to drilling and substantially greater material damage. Spreading of the fire could also have distributed smoke to large areas of the facility.

Causes

The site showed that the fire began in the fume cabinet where the retort was placed. The retort and the extension power cord used in the cabinet were taken ashore by the police for more detailed technical examination.

Investigations by the National Criminal Investigation Service concluded that the fire was probably caused by serial arcing in the extension cord used. This arcing developed a high temperature and thereby ignited flammable material in the vicinity. The arcing has occurred in all likelihood as a result of insulation failure following mechanical damage.

Chemicals used for mud testing were stored in the fume cabinet. Design drawings indicate that this cabinet should be made of stainless steel, but the fire damage shows that it was clad internally with flammable sheets. The chemicals and the flammable sheets inside the cabinet contributed to the rapid escalation of the fire.

Nonconformities and improvement points

The PSA’s investigation has identified several breaches of the regulations and conditions with a potential for improvement.

Three nonconformities have been registered, related to the following conditions.

  • Use of extension cords with a 16A overcurrent protected device
  • Retort
  • Fume cabinet design

Four improvement points have  been registered, related to the following conditions.

  • Portable third-party equipment taken on board
  • Checking of extension cords
  • Storage of flammable materials in the mud laboratory
  • Maintenance of retorts

At an early stage in the PSA’s investigation, information from the police on the findings of the forensic examination showed that a break in the extension cord was the probable cause of the fire. This was communicated to the companies, so that they could take the necessary action.

Further action

The PSA’s investigation has now been completed.

Seadrill has been requested to explain how the nonconformities will be dealt with and to provide its assessment of the improvement points identified by the PSA. The deadline for a response has been set as 29 March 2019.