BP Gulf oil disaster caused by a complex series of failures

The true cost of the BP oil spill probably won't be known for many years to come. But the investigation as to why it happened in the first place has garnered some conclusions even if it doesn't pin down exactly whose fault it was.

A BP report which involved 50 technical and oil industry specialists has come to the following conclusion:

The incident arose from a complex and interlinked series of mechanical failures, human judgements, engineering design, operational implementation, and team interfaces.

Here's what the investigation revealed:

• Cement barriers at the bottom of the well failed to contain hydrocarbons within the reservoir, allowing gas and liquids to flow up the production casing;


• A negative pressure test was accepted despite no verification having been made as to the integrity of the well;


• Transocean rig crew failed to react quickly enough when faced with the influx of hydrocarbons into the well;


• Upon reaching the rig, the well-flow was routed to a mud-gas separator, which caused gas to be vented directly on to the rig instead of overboard;


• The flow of gas into the engine rooms through the ventilation system created a potential for ignition;


• The rig’s blow-out preventer on the sea bed should have activated automatically to seal the well, but failed to operate.

One of the main conclusions of the report was an increased level, and more thorough training programmes for deepwater operations. That was alongside 25 other recommendations for improving safety.

Bob Dudley, chief executive of BP commented on the report, stating:

We are determined to learn the lessons for the future and we will be undertaking a broad-scale review to further improve the safety of our operations. We will invest whatever it takes to achieve that. It will be incumbent on everyone at BP to embrace and implement the changes necessary to ensure that a tragedy like this can never happen again.

Source: Safety & Health Practitioner