(WO) — The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Energy Regulator (C-NLOER) is monitoring another potentially fatal safety incident on the Hibernia platform after a worker was injured by falling casing during drilling operations, marking the second high-potential incident reported at the offshore facility in just over two months.
According to the regulator, the July 18 incident occurred while a pipe deck crew was preparing 9 5/8-in. casing for transfer to the drilling rig. Two casing joints, each weighing about 2,100 lb, separated from a gantry crane’s magnetic lifting system and fell approximately two meters onto the pipe deck below.
One of the casing joints struck a worker’s lower leg. The worker was transported onshore for further medical evaluation.
C-NLOER said the incident had the potential to be fatal based on the industry’s Dropped Objects Prevention Scheme calculator. The regulator noted it follows another potential fatality incident reported on the Hibernia platform on May 12, 2026, and said it continues to monitor the operator’s follow-up from that event.
Following the latest incident, operations in the affected area were suspended while the gantry crane was removed from service for inspection. The crane manufacturer found no equipment deficiencies and cleared the crane to return to service. Hibernia Management and Development Company (HMDC) has initiated a root-cause investigation, which is being monitored by the regulator.
The Hibernia platform, located offshore Newfoundland and Labrador, is operated by Hibernia Management and Development Company (HMDC), whose shareholders are led by ExxonMobil Canada (33.125%), followed by Chevron, Suncor, Canada Hibernia Holding Corporation, Murphy Oil and Equinor Canada. ExxonMobil provides management and operational support services to HMDC.
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