The oil industry is a gold mine but it has its fair share of occupational hazards too. This is true about most oil companies whether they work onshore or offshore. Oil and gas firms have experts that ensure the highest safety and security standards are enforced in their operations. However, offshore drilling accidents still happen and the results can be devastating. Below are some accidents that may happen in the course of oil and gas activities.
Gas Explosions
In many oil companies, gas flaring has reduced to the barest minimum. Instead of burning natural gas at drilling sites, oil companies process this vital fuel and put them in gas cylinders for domestic use. Natural gas can also be piped and used to power industries. The problem is that gas is highly inflammable. One tiny spark can cause a huge gas explosion and when this happens, the consequences can be devastating.
Oil Spills and Environmental Pollution
Offshore drilling is not an exact science. When petroleum engineers and other experts drill for oil, the aim is to get the crude oil out of the ground and refine it without any misfortunes. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. For oil companies operating near rivers and other water bodies, there is always a risk of oil spill and the attendant water pollution. In cases where there is an oil spill, the local community can sue the oil company if the spill affects their farming and fishing activities.
Litigation Arising from Offshore Drilling
In many cases, accidents on drilling platforms lead to litigation. This is a direct consequence of damage caused by the accident and the reluctance of the oil firm to pay adequate compensation to those affected by the accident. For instance, if workers are injured in a gas explosion, those affected deserve adequate treatment and compensation by the firm. In addition; they are entitled to compensation under the terms of the insurance policies taken out by the employer on their behalf. If the oil company tries to wriggle out of meeting its obligations, the next step is litigation.
In cases where an oil spill has an adverse effect on the fishing industry, local fishermen and fishing companies operating in that area can sue the oil company. In any of these scenarios, you need a competent and experienced attorney to file the case and ensure that you get compensation. Oil companies do not anticipate offshore drilling accidents. However, when these accidents do happen, the company in question must meet its obligations to those affected by the accident.