Question

List the possible causes of a rig collapse. When is a collapse most likely to occur and why?

Answer 1

Understanding the reasons that led to this oil rig accident would enable one to know what not to do or follow when it comes to oil rigs specifically and then exercises immense caution so as to prevent an accident.

One of the most important reasons responsible for causing oil rig accidents is perhaps overlooking or negligent behavior by the person whose main responsibility is to oversee the security aspect of an oil rig. Most oil rig disasters are manifestations or ramifications for this reason. In fact, negligence can be regarded as the primary reason for causing oil rig accidents and the other reasons can be termed as sub-points of the negligent aspect.

Negligence by itself can take many forms. By not using proper safety measures like gas pressurization valves whenever and wherever necessary can lead to explosions in oil rigs leading to oil rig disasters of a major level and thus cause serious problem to the eco-system.

Another manifestation of the negligent aspect is with respect to maintenance of the oil rigs. Oil rigs need and require regular maintenance because of the nature of their utility. Therefore, if proper maintenance is not done or if the people responsible for the maintenance of the oil rigs are careless in their duty then there could be a huge oil rig accident in the making.

Another important point with respect to negligence is in terms of the oil company being slack in carrying out its duties and responsibilities. More often than not it so happens that even after the maintenance authority gives its report pertaining to the usability of equipment in an oil rig; certain companies do not take immediate measures to stop utilising that particular equipment on that particular oil rig due to financial pressure and the need to exploit more utility from the said equipment. Therefore because of such carelessness to a very important point about safety, many oil rig disasters take place leading to a very severe casualty in the form of human life and marine life-forms.Negligence also takes another dimension when the entire usability of an oil rig is put under the scanner and the parent company refuses to comply with the safety terms because of the need to gain more financially. Most oil rig disasters have occurred under this scope because of the oil companies’ exploitation and self-centeredness.