Statoil evacuates Gullfaks platform due to “unstable” well

Statoil, the Norwegian oil and gas producer, has today announced it has evacuated 89 crew members from its Gullfaks C platform due to an “unstable pressure situation” following a deviation in well pressure.

However a spokesperson for the company said the remaining crew were working to stabilise the pressure in the well, which is situated in the Norwegian Sea.

Gisle Johanson of Statoil said: “There are no leaks and no injuries. The situation on the platform is stable and we are planning for further operations to normalise the situation.”

Frederic Hauge, head of Bellona, one of the leading environmentalist groups in Norway, added: “They have a situation in which there is uncontrolled pressure from the well, one of the barriers is gone and one barrier is left.

“Uncontrolled pressure is very serious and has the capability of being a large accident,” he added.

The Gullfaks C platform, which is a concrete gravity structure with production, drilling and living quarters, is one of three platforms at the site, which handle oil and gas from the Gimle, Tordis, Vigdis, Visund, Gullfaks and Gullfaks Soer fields.

The sea depth at the site is 130 to 220 metres.