DEATH RIG BOSSES 'KNEW OF PIPE LEAK
OIL rig bosses knew about a leaking pipe weeks before two workers were gassed to death, it was claimed yesterday.
Technicians found the pipe, which had been patched up in November 2002, was still leaking during checks the following summer.
But a supervisor on the Brent Bravo platform said it was a "known leak" and told them to carry on, operator technician Paul Adie told a fatal accident inquiry in Aberdeen.
Weeks later, Sean McCue,22, and Keith Moncrieff, 45, died after they were sent to the same place to check the fault Sean, of Kennoway, Fife, and Keith, from Invergowrie, near Dundee, were overcome by a sudden release of gas as they worked in the utility leg of the rig off Shetland in September 2003.
Paul, 35, of Kintore, near Aberdeen, was in charge of the control room when an alarm went off from the utility leg.
He said: "I shouted, 'Sean' into the radio. He said the leak was pouring out and he needed a key to close the valve.
"I went to look for the key, but I couldn't see it - and then another gas alarm interrupted me."
On Monday, Shell UK - who have already been fined £900,000 over the case - admitted there had been failures that led to the deaths.
The inquiry continues.
OIL rig bosses knew about a leaking pipe weeks before two workers were gassed to death, it was claimed yesterday.
Technicians found the pipe, which had been patched up in November 2002, was still leaking during checks the following summer.
But a supervisor on the Brent Bravo platform said it was a "known leak" and told them to carry on, operator technician Paul Adie told a fatal accident inquiry in Aberdeen.
Weeks later, Sean McCue,22, and Keith Moncrieff, 45, died after they were sent to the same place to check the fault Sean, of Kennoway, Fife, and Keith, from Invergowrie, near Dundee, were overcome by a sudden release of gas as they worked in the utility leg of the rig off Shetland in September 2003.
Paul, 35, of Kintore, near Aberdeen, was in charge of the control room when an alarm went off from the utility leg.
He said: "I shouted, 'Sean' into the radio. He said the leak was pouring out and he needed a key to close the valve.
"I went to look for the key, but I couldn't see it - and then another gas alarm interrupted me."
On Monday, Shell UK - who have already been fined £900,000 over the case - admitted there had been failures that led to the deaths.
The inquiry continues.
