A Review of Major Accidents in the Oil and Gas Industry and their Impact

Accidents in the oil and gas industry are still prevalent despite efforts by operators and regulators to improve safety. This paper reviews accidents in the oil and gas industry and their human, environmental and economic impact. Peer-reviewed articles in journals, accident assessment reports and conference proceedings on accidents in oil and gas facilities and their impact were reviewed extensively. The findings revealed that poor safety management, mechanical failures due to unsafe design and corrosion, human error, failed operating procedures, negligence, natural events, inexperience and lack of adequate technical skills were mainly responsible for the accidents in the oil and gas facilities investigated. Also, accidents in oil and gas facilities have extensive catastrophic effects on the ecosystem and economy of the affected region/country. Good process safety management, adherence to safety rules and regulations, efficient and reliable equipment and well trained technical staff will greatly reduce the frequency of accidents in the oil and gas industry.