§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Minister of Power when the report on the inquiry into the disaster of the drilling rig "Sea Gem" will be published; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MarshThe report of the inquiry into the loss of the drilling rig "Sea Gem" on 27th December, 1965, is being published today. I am grateful to the Tribunal for their devotion and efficiency with which they carried out their task.
The Tribunal's conclusion, which I accept, is that failure of tie bars was the main probable prime cause of the collapse of the "Sea Gem" and that the requirements of the Institute of Petroleum's Code were not observed in several important particulars though none of the failures to observe requirements of the code led to the loss of any life.
The Tribunal recommends that there should be a statutory code, supported by credible sanctions, for the management of offshore platforms. I accept the case for strengthening the existing statutory provisions governing safety in offshore drilling operations. This will require legislation. The scope of this has been the subject of preliminary discussion with representatives of the North Sea operators and it is being reviewed in the light of the report.
The Tribunal makes certain other recommendations, not entailing legislation, which need to be discussed with the operators before I decide to what extent modifications of current practice and procedure are called for. Meanwhile the Ministry's Petroleum Exploration and Production Inspectors, who regularly visit all offshore platforms, pay close attention to all aspects of safety and take steps, with the collaboration of the operators, to ensure that appropriate precautions are adopted.
The report makes a number of criticisms of the design and fabrication of certain parts of the "Sea Gem" structure. Design and construction would be among the matters to be dealt with in legislation. Lloyd's Register of Shipping is currently formulating standards for offshore platforms in respect of their design 417W and construction and other features having a bearing on safety. I welcome this initiative and my officials are in close touch with Lloyd's about their proposals.