Worker falls off rig at Aker BP’s Tambar field

Two offshore workers have been injured in an incident on the Aker BP-operated Tambar field offshore Norway. One of the workers fell into the sea. 

Norwegian operator Aker BP confirmed on Thursday that a serious incident was reported on its operated Tambar field in the North Sea at 12.10 local time.

The incident took place on the Maersk Drilling-owned Maersk Interceptor jack-up rig, which currently drills wells on the offshore field.

“Two people employed in Maersk Drilling are injured in the incident. One fell to sea,” Aker BP said.

According to the oil company, the worker was retrieved by a standby boat, and the company is working to bring both involved to land.

Offshore Energy Today has reached out to Aker BP as well as the rig owner, Maersk Drilling, for further information about the incident.

A spokesperson for Aker BP has confirmed to Offshore Energy Today that two SAR helicopters are bringing the injured onshore.

“We have activated our emergency preparedness organization and cooperate closely with the relevant authorities to handle the situation,” the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for Maersk Drilling has also confirmed the incident, adding that one of the workers was treated on board the rig for injuries and is now being picked up by helicopter. The other employee fell overboard and is on route to the hospital by SAR helicopter and has received immediate medical attention, the spokesperson said.

The Tambar installation is located 16 kilometer southeast of Ula in 68m water depth. It is a normally unmanned wellhead platform (NUI), remotely controlled from Ula. The Ula field center serves as an area hub for the satellite field Tambar, and as a third-party host for the Oselvar and Blane fields.

Aker BP is currently working on a redevelopment project on the Tambar field which consists of two additional wells and gas lift. This is expected to extend the production period from the field by about ten years. The gas lift is being installed because the reservoir pressure at Tambar is no longer sufficient to ensure satisfactory production.

As for the Maersk rig, it was hired to drill and complete two new wells on the field, designated 1/3-K-4 and 1/3-K-2.

Offshore Energy Today Staff