HSE stories earn top billing

Across the board, from petroleum to power, renewables to distribution, the energy industry is focused and committed to safety. This week's headlines are proof of that.

While scary, the explosion at Enterprise Products Partners' Mont Belvieu petrochemical facility is extinguished and under control. Tragically one person did lose his life, but no other injuries or fatalities were reported from the massive blaze. In two days, much of the complex is back up and running, and the company and various regulatory groups are earnestly investigating the cause of the accident.

Offshore the UK, a severe winter storm knocked the Gryphon FPSO from its moorings. Four of ten anchors were broken, and the vessel was moved off position due to a severe storm. The crew aboard the facility quickly shut production down and repositioned the boat -- within 10 minutes. Non-essential

Statoil reported a well incident at the Deepsea Atlantic in the Norwegian North Sea. A gas bubble caused alarm, and the BOP and other safety mechanisms in place kept anything else from happening. While the incident is being investigated, the problem could have snowballed into a larger one had safety aboard the rig not been exemplary.

Canada's Transportation Safety Board released a report this week concerning the 2009 fatal helicopter crash offshore Newfoundland, pushing for increased safety regulations for helicopters working offshore.

Another type of danger, McAfee reported that a number of oil and gas firms were targeted with a cyber threat. The Night Dragon cyberattacks originated in China and targeted insider information and bidding data.

For more news on Health, Safety, Security and Environment, visit PennEnergy.com.

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Phaedra Friend Troy is the content director for PennEnergy.com, an all-energy website that provides oil and gas, power and infrastructure news, analysis, reports and more. Sign up for a free daily enewsletter today.