SOCO Offshore or SOCO International, now known as Pharos Energy PLC, is an oil and gas exploration and production company. Its headquarters are based in London, England. The company has invested in Vietnam, Republic of Congo and Angola. In 2014, the company was involved in a controversy after attempting to bribe and intimidate people in the Virunga National Park, in the Democratic Republic of Congo considered by UNESCO a World Heritage Site.
- A fire took place when static electricity ignited escaping condensate vapors from the surge tank. The level of glycol and condensate separator was low, just above the LSL shutdown switch, a hole found in the reboiler insulation on top of the shell may have allowed oxygen to enter inside the vessel while it was in static condition, causing the fire.
- In 1999, SOCO was fined a total of $ 10.000,00 for having an automatic SSV for Well A-3 in bypass at the master control panel.
- In 1998, a heater treater was deemed inoperable and the company was fined $ 40.000,00
Asbestos and the Oil Industry
Asbestos was a very popular material used in the oil industry during the Twentieth Century because of its low cost, durability and resistance to heat and flames many companies opted to use it as a protective material. Now, asbestos is known for being a very toxic material that can cause many health complications when people are exposed to it for long periods of time. One of asbestos exposure better known consequences is Mesothelioma, an aggressive and deadly kind of cancer, most commonly found in the lungs.
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Oil Rig Accident Lawyers
Oil rig workers are exposed to many risks in the work place, accidents being part of the main ones. These work place accidents can result in dead, injury, chronic pain, emotional trauma and mounting medical bills. When these accidents occur, and the worker is not at fault, is important that workers contact an specialized attorney for a case consultation, this will help them determine if they are eligible for compensation that can be vital to shoulder medical expenses after the fact.
