Equinor suspends flights to Mariner platform

Crew changes on the Equinor-operated Mariner A platform have been suspended after a helicopter wheel went through the platform’s helideck.

A spokesperson for Equinor confirmed that crew change flights had been suspended temporarily on 30 March. “The helicopter had been shut down temporarily after reporting a technical issue. Whilst manoeuvring the aircraft to a parking bay to clear the helideck for other flights a section of deck grating was damaged. The helicopter’s engines and rotor were not running at the time”.

The spokesperson also added that technical specialist teams from Equinor and CHC were working to resolve the issue in order to resume normal helicopter operations and all relevant authorities had been informed.

The Mariner field is the first Equinor-operated oil field on the UKCS field. It is located on the East Shetland Platform in UK Block 9/11a in the northern North Sea approximately 150 kilometres east of the Shetland Islands.

Published: 02-04-2021