Offshore staff
STAVANGER, Norway– Statoil reports that production from a subsea template at the Snorre B platform was shut down on May 17, following the discovery of an abnormal erosion of mass under the template.
Over the last 24 hours, no movement has been observed in the pit at thesubsea template. The area is under continuous ROV surveillance and sediment samples have been taken. Brine (water with heavier sediments) was pumped into the well for a brief period in the event that there was some sort of connection between the pit and the well.
There have been no signs of hydrocarbon leaks in any of the surveys carried out since the pit was discovered.
Bente Aleksandersen, Statoil's senior vice president for Operations South, said: “The pit is stable and is being monitored continuously. The most important thing for us now is to clarify what caused the pit to form, and a number of explanations are being examined.”
On Monday, 33 people were moved over to theSafe Scandinavia, and then transported onshore as a precautionary measure after movement and hydrocarbon indications were observed in the pit.
In connection with this, the emergency response organization was mobilized, and then demobilized the same evening. The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway is being provided with continuous updates.
Statoil has decided to keepproduction shut down until the necessary investigations have been carried out.
Snorre is in blocks 34/4 and 34/7 in the Tampen area of the Norwegian North Sea.
05/20/2014
