Incidents : Hibernia Platform production shuts in following injection fluid discharge
Offshore Regulator, Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) stated that , Hibernia Management and Development Company (HMDC) reported that while conducting production operations late on July 19, water sampling indicated an exceedance of produced water discharge.
Produced water is a mixture of seawater from the reservoir, seawater used in injection, drilling and production fluids used in normal production operations.
According to HMDC report, a sheen was observed by satellite 2.5 kilometers from the Hibernia platform and confirmed by vessel observation.
Discovered in 1979, the Hibernia Field is located approximately 315 km east southeast of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Energy company stated that, no workers were injured and all wells are in a safe state.
HMDC immediately shut-in Hibernia production and the produced water overboard discharge was isolated.
A Remotely Operated Vehicle was deployed subsea and confirmed there is no continuous release.
Moreover, HMDC has deployed a tracker buoy and continue surveillance activities of the area. The volume of the discharge and its composition are being determined.
No affected wildlife have been observed to date.
HMDC continued vessel and aerial surveillance of the area into this afternoon, with one overflight, two support vessels, and two wildlife observers in the field.
Company received additional satellite images, which showed no indication of any anomalies.
The C-NLOPB is actively monitoring HMDC’s response to the incident with other agencies. Decisions on possible regulatory enforcement action will follow in due course.
The shareholders of Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. (HMDC) are: ExxonMobil Canada (33.125%), Chevron Canada Resources (26.875%), Suncor (20%), Canada Hibernia Holding Corporation (8.5%), Murphy Oil (6.5%) and Equinor Canada Ltd. (5%).
INCIDENTS ON HIBERNIA
In June last year, CNLOPB initiates the monitoring of HMDC’s investigation over a 236 Kg drill pipe drop from Gantry Crane on the platform operated by Exxon Mobil Canada.
In September 2019, C-NLOPB was satisfied with HMDC’s plan for the restart and will be continually enhanced oversight meetings with HMDC to monitor progress on corrective actions following the July 17, first spill and second spill on August 17, incidents
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