Name
Managing a Major Crane Structural Failure: Emergency Response and Lessons Learned from Shell’s Offshore Operations
Mark Alexander Brad Hubbard
Track
Deepwater Operations
Date & Time
Thursday, November 5, 2026, 10:00 AM - 10:25 AM
Location Name
Exhibit Hall A: Rooms A2 and A3
Description

This presentation examines Shell’s response to a pedestal-mounted crane structural failure on the Mars TLP in May 2025, addressing immediate risks to personnel safety, asset integrity, and production continuity. It outlines the emergency response framework, including rapid hazard assessment, first-response team mobilization, structural stabilization, and actions taken to de-risk operations and enable safe resumption of production. A structured timeline will be presented showing decision-making under uncertainty and progression from emergency response to engineered mitigation and controlled crane removal. Attendees will gain insight into risk management strategies, transition criteria for recovery phases, and lessons learned for managing high-consequence offshore structural failures through coordinated, technically rigorous response.