Petrobras finishes investigation of FPSO explosion

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Petrobras has completed an analysis of the factors that contributed to the fatal accident on board the Cidade de São Mateus FPSO in February, the company announced Friday.

On Feb. 11, an explosion occurred on the vessel, which claimed the lives of nine of the 74 people on board.

Petrobras’ report on the incident is aimed at documenting the analysis of the occurrence, in order to further improve the industry’s safety standards and prevent similar accidents in future.

The main causal factors identified were breaches of fluid pumping operating procedures, the installation of a piece of equipment (racket) in a pipe without the proper technical specifications and alteration registration, and safety procedure violations.

Petrobras has submitted the report to the public authorities, including the National Oil, Natural Gas and Biofuels Agency (ANP), the Federal Police and the Civil Police, with whom Petrobras has been collaborating since the start of the investigations.

The report’s conclusions are also being shared with Petrobras’ exploration and production workforce, the BW Offshore group—which was responsible for operating the Cidade de São Mateus—and the oil industry as a whole.

Claims that Petrobras was warned about certain faults before the accident are incorrect, Petrobras said.