OMV Petrom platform rusts in the Black Sea – Greenpeace calls for clarification

2024-03-02 14:32:39

Whistleblower recordings show the alarming condition of Platform 7 – OMV must take responsibility

Vienna/Bucharest (OTS) – A whistleblower was extremely concerned regarding photographs () from the OMV Petrom offshore platform 7 in the Black Sea to Greenpeace. The images show serious damage to the supporting elements of the platform, as experts confirmed to Greenpeace. Greenpeace is alarmed regarding the operational viability of the platform and the dangers that a possible accident would have both for the workers employed there and for the Black Sea. The environmental protection organization has forwarded the recordings to the responsible authorities and is calling for an immediate investigation.

Surya Jaikaran, energy analyst at Greenpeace International, who previously worked at international oil and gas companies for nine years, says: “The photos suggest that the protective layers of the beams have corroded, affecting the wall thickness. The wall thickness of the beams and the underwater foundation are designed to withstand the dynamic loads caused by waves, currents and the weight of the platform itself. When corrosion compromises the wall thickness, the durability of the platform is compromised and the risk of industrial accidents and environmental disasters increases significantly.”

Platform 7 is part of the Istria Perimeter off the coast of Romania – where OMV Petrom produces oil and gas. OMV is currently pursuing further gas projects in the region. The Neptun Deep mega gas project currently being planned is located around 100 kilometers away. “The whistleblower recordings indicate that OMV Petrom is treating its existing platforms irresponsibly. The question arises as to whether a company that appears to be negligent with its existing platforms should receive permits for new gas projects such as Neptune Deep. Before OMV Petrom is allowed to place further ticking time bombs in the Black Sea, the security of the existing platforms must first be checked,” demands Jasmin Duregger, climate and energy expert at Greenpeace in Austria.

Fossil gas is fueling the climate crisis, regardless of whether it comes from Russia or the EU. Instead of looking for new sources, the first step is to reduce gas consumption. There is a lot of leverage in industry. Greenpeace is therefore calling for a binding and sanctionable reduction target of five percent less gas annually for companies. In addition, the low-temperature range should be completely switched to heat pumps by 2035.

The photos from platform 7:
Detailed analysis by the energy analyst: https://act.gp/3uSEKoj

The photos are available free of charge for editorial use provided the credits © Greenpeace are given.

Questions & Contact:

Jasmin Duregger
Climate and energy expert
Greenpeace in Austria
Tel: [phone]
E-Mail: [e-mail]

Annette Stolz
Press spokesperson
Greenpeace in Austria
Tel.: + 43 (0) 664 61 26 725
E-Mail: [e-mail]

(Also available on weekends)

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