Al Shaheen fire subdued

April 21, 2011
Maersk Oil has extinguished a fire which broke out yesterday on one of its platforms off Qatar.

Offshore staff

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Maersk Oil has extinguished a fire which broke out yesterday on one of its platforms off Qatar.

The incident occurred in the emergency generator room of the AD accommodation platform in the Al Shaheen field, 80 km (49.7 mi) offshore.

The situation is now under control, Maersk says, and all employees are safe and accounted for, with no serious injuries. All non-essential personnel have been evacuated from the platform.

An investigation is under way to establish the cause of the fire. Three days previously, production at A-Location had been shut-down for planned maintenance work, and Maersk says no hydrocarbons were present at the time. Nor has any environmental impact resulted from the incident.

Maersk Oil Qatar operates the Al Shaheen field on behalf of Qatar Petroleum. There are currently 1,008 personnel working on the facilities with 242 based at A-Location.

04/21/2011