Shell Fined £560,000 After Failing to Maintain Pipework 

• Content
• News
• Shell Fined £560,000 After Failing to Maintain Pipework 

01 December 2025

Shell has been fined after pipework at its Brent Charlie platform in the North Sea deteriorated to such an extent that contained hydrocarbon fluids escaped.

This could have formed a potentially catastrophic explosive and flammable mixture, placing 176 people working on the platform at risk. The probability of ignition was assessed to be less than one per cent.

“This release occurred in a confined space with limited access – it is simply fortunate that no one was in the leg at the time, or they could have been asphyxiated from the hydrocarbon-rich atmosphere, quite apart from any fire and explosion risk.”

–Dozie Azubike 

Offshore Health and Safety Inspector, HSE

The incident happened in 2017, when 200kg of gas and 1,550kg of crude oil were released – the largest uncontrolled hydrocarbon release on the UK Continental Shelf reported to the Health and Safety Executive that year.

This was due to inadequately maintained Return Oil Line (ROL) pipework in one of the site’s columns. The pipework was installed for short-term use only and was due for removal in 2010. However, it remained in place for seven years, suffering corrosion damage which led to the release.

Ventilation extract and supply fans designed to prevent and mitigate this major accident hazard were also poorly maintained, which exacerbated the risk to the 176 people on the platform.

HSE praised the actions of the platform manager and the various emergency teams for their decision-making which prevented the incident from escalating.

Shell UK Limited pleaded guilty to two charges under the Offshore Installations (Prevention of Fire and Explosion, and Emergency Response) Regulations 1995 (PFEER). 

Sheriff Ian Duguid, in his sentencing remarks, observed that Shell UK “ought to have recognised that the temporary carbon steel spool was not suitable for such a line and should have been replaced.” After considering mitigating factors, Shell was fined £560,000.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Offshore Health and Safety Inspector Dozie Azubike said: “At more than 1,750kg, Shell Brent Charlie’s hydrocarbon release was the largest reported to HSE in 2017. This release occurred in a confined space with limited access – it is simply fortunate that no one was in the leg at the time, or they could have been asphyxiated from the hydrocarbon-rich atmosphere, quite apart from any fire and explosion risk.

“Although the offshore industry has managed to reduce its overall number of hydrocarbon releases, in most years there are still several which, if ignited, would result in potentially catastrophic consequences.

“This case highlights the importance of oil and gas dutyholders reviewing their current management of change processes for temporary spools and their subsequent removal, strengthening inspection regimes to identify potential internal corrosion within pipework, and ensuring that inspection frequency of safety-critical equipment considers full analysis of the equipment’s maintenance history.”

Picture: a photograph of the spool with the corrosion failure identified. Image Credit: HSE

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 01 December 2025

Share

Related Articles