Canada: Hibernia platform resuming production after storm

The Hibernia Management and Development Company-operated Hibernia platform, located offshore Newfoundland and Labrador, is gradually resuming production following a shutdown last Friday, November 16. 

To remind, the area experienced a significant storm last week, prompting the oil and gas operators offshore Canada to halt production at their facilities.

While the weather conditions were well within the design limits of the Hibernia platform and the platform kept operating during the storm, three of the eight Hibernia lifeboats were impaired and taken out of service as a result of the weather.

However, on Friday morning, November 16, following discussions between Canada’s offshore regulator, C-NLOPB, and the operator regarding the fact three lifeboats were out of service, Hibernia operations were halted and  the number of persons onboard was reduced to 175.

Production remained halted during the week to enable the operator to assess the damage and complete the repairs.

Green light to resume production

On Thursday, November 22 C-NLOPB informed that the Hibernia platform was authorized to restart production operations on November 21, after completing all necessary inspections on the facility and production systems.

In a separate statement on Thursday, the HMDC said that, while the storm conditions were within design parameters, the Hibernia engineering and offshore personnel carried out a series of robust and thorough inspections of the platform and completed all integrity checks prior to resuming production operations. Close surveillance of the facility will be carried out throughout start up.

The regulator also said that the number of persons onboard would remain at 175 until all necessary repairs, inspection, and analysis to the damaged lifeboats are complete.

C-NLOPB added that Hibernia would also need to inspect their subsea systems, which include the Offshore Loading System, and all drilling systems prior to resuming drilling and offloading operations.

Certifying Authority concurrence that these systems are fit for purpose post-storm is also required, prior to resuming those operations.

The shareholders of Hibernia Management and Development Company 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 (5%).

SeaRose oil spill

It is also worth reminding that, as a result of the storm, Husky’s SeaRose FPSO on Friday, November 16 spilled 250 cubic meters (250,000 liters) of oil into the environment after trying to restart production, which had been suspended due to Thursday’s weather. The FPSO will remain suspended until a full inspection of all facilities is completed and Husky has received the support and approval of the C-NLOPB.

Meanwhile, other operators offshore Canada are also assessing their offshore facilities for damage before resuming operations.

Offshore Energy Today Staff