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Latest update on UK North Sea Harding platform incident

TAQA can confirm that a team from the company, along with investigators from Police Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive, has arrived on the Harding platform following the death of a TAQA employee early this morning. (February 27, 2014)TAQA will conduct its own inquiry and is co-operating fully with all external investigations. The company is also currently offering its full support to the family of our colleague and will continue to do so for as long as required.The incident happened just after 2.15am today when our employee fell overboard during maintenance activity on the platform. He was recovered from the sea by a support vessel and flown by helicopter to hospital in Shetland.The remaining 108 people who were on the platform are safe and accounted for. Production has been shut down on the platform and an operation is underway to downman 74 non-essential personnel from the installation. TAQA took the decision to downman out of consideration for the welfare of our people following this tragic incident.The Harding platform  is owned and operated by TAQA and is located 320 kilometres north-east of Aberdeen.Further updates will be issued as more information becomes available.ENDSNotes to editors:Background information and fast facts can be found at www.taqa.comAbout TAQATAQA is the brand name for the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PSJC. Our UK business was incorporated in 2006 and is based in Aberdeen. In the UK, TAQA is an exploration and production company working on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS).
TAQA’s portfolio in the UK consists of our Brae assets, Beinn and Braemar fields, as well as the SAGE pipeline and onshore terminal, and the Brae-Miller Linkline. We have 100% operated equity in the Tern, Kestrel, Eider, Cormorant North, South Cormorant and Pelican Fields. And we have a combined 26.73% interest in the Dana- operated Hudson field and a 24% interest in the Sullom Voe Terminal.
TAQA also operates the Brent Pipeline System on behalf of ourselves and our partners in the North Sea.
Approximately 400 employees and 800 contractors and subcontractors work for TAQA in the UKCS and onshore.The Harding platform
The Harding platform is located 320 km north-east of Aberdeen. TAQA has a 70% equity interest and is operator. Maersk owns 30%. The Harding platform began production in 1996.