No Shutdown Order for ConocoPhillips’ Tor Field, PSA Norway Says

In a letter dated 13 April 2012, the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) issued ConocoPhillips a notification of order to shut down all systems that require a functioning depressurisation system on Tor 2/4 E until a depressurisation system that complies with regulatory requirements is in place.

Following this, ConocoPhillips has provided new information regarding compensating measures in the period up to when the depressurisation system is corrected in accordance with the company’s plans. Based on this information, the notified order to shut down will not be issued.

“We have asked ConocoPhillips to keep us informed concerning the results of the compensating measures that are implemented,” PSA said in a statement today.

PSA explains the difference between an “order” and a “notification of order”:

“An order is a administrative decision made pursuant to the regulations. Before we issue an order, we usually submit a “notification of order” to the companies involved. A notification of order is neither a measure nor a warning of sanctions, but part of our administrative process in accordance with the established rules of procedure.”

The Tor oil and gas field lies in blocks 2/4 and 2/5 in the Ekofisk area of the Norwegian North Sea. Water depths in the area are 70-75 metres.

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Offshore Nieuws Staff, May 28, 2012; Image : ConocoPhillips