The Jotun gas pipeline has been repaired, and gas exports from Jotun resumed on November 25. The pipeline connecting the Jotun field in the North Sea with Gassled’s Statpipe system was shut in on Friday morning August 20 following a leak in the pipeline. ExxonMobil immediately started an internal investigation to determine the causes of the incident. The investigation concluded that the pipeline had been impacted by fishing equipment, straining certain areas of the pipe, eventually leading to a rupture and leak.

During its investigation, ExxonMobil has been in regular contact with with the Petroleum Safety Authority of Norway (PTIL) conducting a parellel investigation of the incident. The company’s investigation involved a complete review of vessel activity in the area, material stress analysis, operating parameters and design. The investigation showed that fishing equipment had been hooked under flange bolts, causing the pipe to be pulled out of the rock, straining certain area of the pipe/flange.

ExxonMobil has now modified its procedures to enhance subsea facility protection. To share learnings across the industry, the company has submitted two safety alerts related to this incident to the authorities and to the other operators on the Norwegian continental shelf.The Jotun pipeline rectification project was successfully completed in November - on time and within budget.