Piper Alpha safety conference sells out

A MAJOR offshore safety conference, being held later this month to mark the 25th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster, has completely sold out.

The Piper Alpha disaster killed 167 passengers. Picture: PA

The three-day conference to mark the world’s worst offshore disaster, in which 167 men were killed, is being organised by Oil and Gas UK, the pan-industry trade body.

The main speakers will include Lord Cullen, whose landmark inquiry into the disaster heralded a new era in the offshore safety regime, and Judith Hackett, chair of the Health and Safety Executive.

A total of 165 oilmen working on the Piper platform and two rescuers were killed on 6 July, 1988, when a series of fires and explosions blew apart the North Sea installation. Lord Cullen’s groundbreaking report into the catastrophe swept aside the old prescriptive regime which had governed the industry and transformed offshore safety.

A spokesman for Oil and Gas UK said: “The Piper 25 conference is now sold out with over 750 delegates due to attend each day.”

The conference is being held from 18 to 20 June at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference centre.

The spokesman explained: “The conference is aimed at bringing together people from across the oil and gas industry to reflect on the lessons learnt from the tragedy, review how far offshore safety has evolved since and to reinforce industry commitment to continuous improvement.

“With Piper Alpha as a central theme, the conference will also explore broader safety issues and will feature high profile international speakers from a diverse range of backgrounds.”

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