Queensland’s resources regulator Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) has urged operators to ensure rig stability after a workover rig collapsed at a coal seam gas well during rig down operations.
The incident involved a rig falling to its side after it became unstable during the lifting operation of the blow out preventor from the well head and loading it onto its transport skid.
The regulator urged operators to read the learnings outlined in its safety alert and review rig stability and operational procedures.
The regulator said operators should assess ground conditions that stabilisers are positioned on and the importance of ensuring adequate ground bearing capacity, among the learnings outlined in the safety alert.
RSHQ has released a safety alert in relation to the incident as investigations into the incident continues.
RSHQ’s Petroleum and Gas Chief Inspector Shoena Messner said no harm occurred to workers around the rig, and it was only luck that no one was injured.
“No harm occurred to workers, but we want to make it clear that this incident was dangerous and those involved could have suffered serious or fatal injuries,” she said.
