The C-NLOPB is following up on a report by Statoil of an estimated 6,000 litre spill of synthetic based drilling fluid which occurred on November 17, 2014. The spill resulted from a 7cm slit in the hose during transfer from the support vessel Maersk Clipper to the West Hercules drilling rig. Transfer was shut down immediately and the valves onboard were closed. The hose was immediately disconnected and returned to the rig.

The reported volume is calculated on a ‘worst case scenario’ based on the rated capacity of the pump over the duration that the pump was running with 100% losses to sea. The actual volume will be determined in the investigation by Statoil. Canadian Coast Guard was notified. The spill has been recorded on the C-NLOPB’s website under Environment – Spill Statistics, which was updated on November 19, 2014.

Statoil Canada Contact:

Alex Collins
Acting Lead, Communications
Statoil Canada Ltd.
(709) 769-8967 (cell)
acoll@statoil.com

C-NLOPB Contact:

Sean Kelly M.A., APR, FCPRS
Manager of Public Relations
(709) 778-1418
(709) 689-0713 (cell)
skelly@cnlopb.ca