![]() Piper Alpha on fire shortly after the failure of the Tartan gas riser | |
Date | 6 and 7 July 1988 |
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Time | Approximately 22:00 (BST) (first explosion) |
Location | Piper Alpha platform, Piper oilfield, North Sea (UK sector) |
Coordinates | 58°28′01″N 00°15′36″E / 58.46694°N 0.26000°E[1] |
Type | Explosion and fire |
Cause | - Startup of a condensate pump that had not been mechanically isolated due to ongoing maintenance - Lack of protection by design of gas risers |
Filmed by | Scottish Television |
Deaths | 167 |
Property damage | £1.7 billion (£6 billion in 2023) |
Inquiries | Piper Alpha Public Inquiry (Cullen Inquiry) |
Awards | Seven George Medal, eight Queen's Gallantry Medal, and five Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct recipients[2] |
Piper Alpha was an oil platform located in the North Sea about 120 miles (190 km) north-east of Aberdeen, Scotland. It was operated by Occidental Petroleum (Caledonia) Limited (OPCAL) and began production in December 1976,[3] initially as an oil-only platform, but later converted to add gas production.
Piper Alpha exploded and collapsed under the effect of sustained gas jet fires in the night between 6 and 7 July 1988, killing 165 of the men on board (30 of whose bodies were never recovered), as well as a further two rescuers.[4] Sixty-one workers escaped and survived. The total insured loss was about £1.7 billion (£6 billion in 2023), making it one of the costliest man-made catastrophes ever.[5][6] At the time of the disaster, the platform accounted for roughly 10% of North Sea oil and gas production[3] and was the world’s single largest oil producer.[7] The accident is the worst ever offshore oil and gas disaster in terms of lives lost, and comparable only to the Deepwater Horizon disaster in terms of industry impact.[8][9][10] The inquiry blamed it on inadequate maintenance and safety procedures by Occidental, though no charges were brought.[11][12] A separate civil suit resulted in a finding of negligence against two workers who were killed in the accident.[13]
A memorial sculpture is located in the Rose Garden of Hazlehead Park in Aberdeen.[14]
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