The piper alpha disaster : A summary of the major events

ABSTRACT

On 6th July 1988, an explosion occurred on the Piper Alpha platform at approximately 2200 hours. The explosion was immediately followed by a fire in an adjoining module. The spread of fire resulted in a massive fireball and jet flame that engulfed two thirds of the platform. This and other fires culminated in the collapse of all but the wellhead module. A total of 167 people lost their lives. This paer described the events leading up to the initial explosion. the escalation of the subsequent fires and explosions, the influence of smoke and fire on the location and movement of personnel about the platform, and the escape and rescue of the survivors. A summary of the findings of the Public Inquiry, Loard Cullen's recommendations and the way forward for the UK offshore industry are presented (AU)