Safety First, Offshore Pipeline Hydrotest Lessons Learned

We prepared an infield pipeline for hydrotest and came back near to the platform we first finished the preparation. Everything was arranged and coordinated with ONGC FPS and we had left the location with all essential safety signs. But when we came back faced with something weird!

A vessel berthed to the boat landing of the platform and probably some activity was going on there!

I called the vessel through radio and asked what the hell they were doing there. Someone answered: “This is bla bla, the superintendent. I am British and we are doing some subsea work here. Our divers are working down here.”

It was strange to me!

I said: “Who cares your nationality?! Who allowed you to work there?! You have not noticed any of the safety signs and are working in a high-risk area! We are doing hydrotest and the pressurization of the pipeline is already started and will soon exceed 170 bars. You have been strongly warned!”

We continued the discussion and after a few minutes, finally, the vessel retrieved the divers and cleared the area.

Mumbai High Filed, Arabian Sea, India, RSPPM Project, 2006