Queensland's resources regulator calls on operators to confirm the stability of rigs in light of recent incident

Resources Safety and Health Queensland (RSHQ) is emphasising the importance of rig stability to operators following a major incident.

The regulatory authority reported that a well-servicing rig toppled onto its side at a coal seam gas well in the Western Downs region of the state earlier this month, leading the watchdog to release a safety alert.

Shoena Messner, the Chief Inspector of Petroleum and Gas at RSHQ, expressed gratitude that there were no injuries and that an investigation is in progress regarding the incident.

“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.

“The collapse occurred at the coal seam gas well during rig down operations, which involved removing the blowout preventor (BOP) from the wellhead and loading it onto its transport skid.

“Initial reports suggest the rig fell onto its side after it became unstable during the lifting operation of the BOP onto the transport skid.”

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