Norway's Petroleum Safety Authority has launched an investigation into a hydrocarbon leak on Statoil's high-pressure, high-temperature Gudrun field in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea which happened yesterday (18 February).
Production was shut-in and the recently installed Gudrun field facilities depressurized after the leak, which happened at about 6:40am. The PSA says the size of the leak is not yet known.
Some 26 people were on board the facility at the time, none of which were inured. A further 97 people were on board the nearby West Epsilon jackup drilling rig, operated by North Atlantic Drilling.
Gudrun is 55km north of Sleipner, in production license 025. The pressure in the reservoir is about 860 bar, with 150°C temperatures. The platform was designed with 42 cabins.
The PSA's investigation will seek to set out the chain of events leading up to the leak as well as identifying the causes.
Gudrun, estimated to contain 184 MMboe recoverable reserves, came on steam in April last year.
The field was discovered in 1975 in Norwegian North Sea license area PL025. Gudrun's HPHT qualities meant the need for new drilling technology was one of the reasons why the reserves were left in the bank for such a long time.
Statoil is the operator of Gudrun field with a 51% interest. Partners include GDF Suez E&P Norge (25%) and OMV Norge (24%).
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Image: Statoil's Gudrun platform. Image from Statoil.
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