Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that the crane operator had died following the collapse of a crane at Perenco’s Samaan Alpha platform. Guardian Media was initially given information that the operator had died. Perenco has since confirmed that he survived, was treated at hospital and discharged. We regret the error.
A crane operator has been discharged from hospital after a crane became detached from its pedestal during lifting operations at Perenco’s Samaan Alpha Drilling platform on Wednesday.
In a statement, Perenco Trinidad and Tobago said the incident occurred around 4 pm on October 14, prompting the immediate activation of its emergency response team.
The operator was conscious in the water and climbed aboard the vessel Mr Row with assistance from its crew, who administered first aid.
Perenco said the company’s medical director provided guidance during the initial response, while a medic from the Samaan field was mobilised to the vessel to provide further treatment.
The operator was taken ashore accompanied by the field medic and transported by ambulance to Southern Medical Centre in San Fernando for further assessment and treatment.
By 6.45 am on Thursday, the operator had completed all medical checks and was discharged from hospital. He was treated for an abrasion to his forehead and a laceration to his left forearm, the company said.
Perenco said all other personnel aboard the Mr Row and at the Samaan Alpha installation were unharmed and accounted for.
The vessel was repositioned away from pipelines and subsea infrastructure, with the crane secured on its deck. The company said there was no evidence of further concerns or an escalation involving pipelines or other infrastructure.
The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries and the Occupational Safety and Health Agency were informed and kept updated throughout the incident, according to Perenco.
The company said an investigation had begun and a team was scheduled to travel offshore to the Samaan Alpha platform on Thursday.
Perenco operates the Samaan field as part of the Teak, Samaan and Poui block, an offshore oil-producing area in Trinidad.
