Ruth MottramOct 28

There are a lot of trade-offs with fossil fuel use that we definitely don't discuss enough. #PiperAlpha was the really big one I recall as a kid, but it was just the latest in a whole succession of oil platform accidents that cost a lot of lives and suffering in the North Sea. And then there was #DeepWaterHorizon.

And that's quite apart from the climate costs.
You wonder how many of these happen that we don't hear about too.

This is a good reminder.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/oct/28/the-piper-alpha-oil-rig-exploded-and-collapsed-and-i-made-a-desperate-175ft-jump-into-the-sea

The Piper Alpha oil rig exploded and collapsed – and I made a desperate 175ft jump into the sea

In July 1988, the North Sea oil platform ignited. As it melted around him, Joe Meanen knew there was only one possible, but highly perilous, way out for him

The Guardian
Show threadColin Rosenthal ✡️🕎 ❤️🇮🇱❤️ 🕎✡️
@Ruth_Mottram I think North Sea diving was at one time considered the most dangerous job in the UK (although the divers were well trained and very well paid). Rig work was generally dangerous too - I seem to remember a helicopter full of rig workers going down.
Oct 29 at 6:30amWeb