Petroleum & Gas Inspectorate | Bulletin | No.16 V 1 | 17 June 2022
Theft of equipment from well sites
What happened?
The Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate have received numerous reports of theft from upstream operators in recent days. Examples of items stolen or damaged include earth cabling, general cables, batteries and diesel fuel.
How did it happen?
Unauthorised person or persons have accessed well sites and adjacent areas, with the alleged intent to remove equipment. Police investigations are ongoing.
Key issues
- Concerns for operator safety when using potentially faulty equipment caused by malicious damage
- Possible loss of gas containment due to barriers and other infrastructure being altered
- Perpetrators are unaware of the hazards and associated risks to themselves and others resulting from their actions.
Recommendations
- Enhance awareness on site by including this bulletin in pre-start meetings and attaching a copy to notice boards
- Undertake comprehensive safety checks before using equipment affected, or potentially affected, by vandalism and other unlawful acts
- Report all illegal activity to Queensland Police
- All operators are encouraged to review site security protocols.
Contact: Lee Baker, Regional Inspector - South , +61 460 023 575 Lee.baker@rshq.qld.gov.au
Issued by Resources Safety & Health Queensland
Security: This information is issued to promote security through experience. It is not to be taken as a statement of law and must not be construed to waive or modify any legal obligation.
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