PSA launches Hammerfest LNG audit

Norway’s Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) has launched an investigation into an incident at Equinor’s Hammerfest liquefied natural gas facility on Melkøya Island.

PSA reported that Equinor shut down the plant on March 11, 2019, in order to repair deficiencies in a number of safety valves there.

A total of 190 of these devices were missing heating cables and insulation, the notice reads.

The overall position at the plant was considered by Equinor to be so serious and uncertain that it was necessary to implement a shutdown and repair programme.

Earlier surveys conducted by the company had identified the condition of these valves, without their weaknesses being corrected.

The PSA’s investigation is now underway, and the police have been informed that it is being carried out.

In connection with the investigation, the PSA will review and clarify conditions related to the actual status of the safety valves, map and assess safety-related conditions, describe the actual and potential consequences, assess the causes of the incident clarify responsibilities, use the necessary enforcement powers to correct possible breaches of the regulations before making the results of the investigation public.