Petrobras P-36
On March 20th 2001, the P-36, stationed over Roncador, sank after three explosions left 11 workers dead. At the time, the world’s biggest semisubmersible had been producing 84,000 b/d and 1.3 million cu m/d of gas. The P-36 had been projected to produce 90,000 b/d of crude by the end of the year and to peak at its capacity of 180,000 b/d by 2004.
Cause of the explosions were unknown although Petrobras said there had been a gas leak that escaped into the column where the blasts took place.
Water flooded the platform’s pontoons, causing the platform to list at a 25° angle. The platform commenced sinking, despite 4,100t of nitrogen being pumped into the flooded compartments at a rate of 200 l./hour in an attempt to discharge about 15% of the estimated 7 million litres.
Click on images to enlarge or view as slideshow here
Photographs taken by Captain Tor-Andre Remøy of the Far Sailor
Link: http://home.versatel.nl/the_sims/rig/p36.htm
Updated: 09-02-08
