The Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) has resolved to conduct an investigation into a hydrocarbon leak which occurred on the Statfjord C platform in the North Sea, offshore Norway, on 26 January 2014.

An escape of stabilised oil occurred on the Statfjord C platform in the early morning of 26 January 2014. The gas alarm was activated, and personnel mustered at the lifeboats.

The process plant was automatically shut down and depressurised. Checks and reports identified a discharge of stabilised oil to the sea.

This incident occurred while stabilised oil was being transferred from Statfjord A to the C platform. The leak site has been traced to the area by a fire seal under the cellar deck.

Preliminary information from operator Statoil indicates that the oil discharge was substantial, but its volume has yet to be clarified.

The PSA takes a serious view of this incident, and has now decided to investigate it. Its investigation will seek in part to clarify the course of events and to identify the direct and underlying causes. The investigation will result in a report, which will be published on ptil.no.