The Loss of the Sleipner A Platform
The gravity base structure (GBS) of the Sleipner platform was the twelfth in a series of GBS platforms of Condeep-type designed and built by the company Norwegian Contractors in Gandsfjorden near Stavanger, Norway. On August 23 1991, during a controlled ballasting operation in preparation for deck mating, the Sleipner platform sank. All 14 people onboard the platform was rescued by nearby boats without injuries. The failure involved a total economic loss of about 700 million dollars.
Safety is a major concern for all offshore operations and a proper risk management plan is critical in ensuring a safe and successful project. Risk management involves the identification of hazards associated with a specified activity in order to minimize the probability of their occurrence, and/or mitigate their consequences. Risk management is particularly important in hostile ocean environments such as the North Sea, where even the most routine and simple tasks could result in great consequences should trouble strike.
The following paper will discuss the sinking of the Sleipner A platform and explore the investigation that took place immediately following the disaster. The paper will also discuss the coastal facilities required to construct Condeep platforms, as well as the role of risk management in the process. Finally, the impact to subsequent offshore structures following the Sleipner platform sinking will be assessed.
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