Oil rig dream bomb taxpayer bill ‘astronomical’

A false bomb alert over the weekend led to scores of offshore workers being unnecessarily evacuated by helicopter from a North Sea platform at taxpayers’ expense. Blame for the panic is being placed variously on oil company management (by unions) and on a young female worker aboard the rig (by management).

The unnamed young woman at the centre of the incident is expected to appear in court today. The BBC reported that the 23-year-old was “detained” and possibly sedated by the manager of the Safe Scandinavia “flotel”, an accomodation platform used primarily as living space for offshore workers.


Grampian police said the incident “is not considered terrorism related… the female is expected to appear at Aberdeen sheriff court on Monday in connection with the matter”.

Britannia Operator Ltd, the company which owns Safe Scandinavia, said the “down-manning” – or evacuation – “occurred following allegations by a worker on the Safe Scandinavia that there was a possible suspicious device on the flotel”.

Hundreds of the 539 people aboard the platform were moved across a connecting bridge to an adjacent oil rig, and 161 were moved to nearby installations. The Coastguard and RAF provided helicopters and fixed-wing planes, with the aerial fleet reaching a peak strength of 13. Bomb-disposal teams were placed on alert, but a thorough search found nothing of any concern.

The Register (UK)