A Petrobras-run floating production unit offshore Brazil caught fire Sunday. According to Sindipetro-NF, a Brazilian oil workers’ union, the incident could have been tragic as it happened near gas leaking lines.
The union, which said the fire was quickly extinguished, added that the outbreak happened 30 meters from two gas leaking lines.
Also, Sindipetro-NF said that the CO2 extinguisher in the fire engulfed area, which should have triggered automatically, malfunctioned, and had to be activated manually, extending the fire fighting effort time and a risk of a greater accident.
The incident happened aboard P-53 production facility in the Campos Basin, at the Marlim Leste oil field.
Petrobras did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking more info, sent by Offshore Energy Today.
To remind, in March 2015, a Petrobras-run FPSO, the Cidade de São Mateus experienced a similar, but unfortunately fatal accident, after an explosion happened on board, killing ten workers.
Offshore Energy Today Staff, Image source: Petrobras