Pipeline Regulations in the Norwegian Petroleum Industry: Experiences, Follow-Up and Statistical Summaries of Incidents

Author(s):  
Trond Sundby ◽  
Kjell Arild Anfinsen

The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) is an independent government regulator responsible for safety, emergency preparedness and the working environment in the Norwegian petroleum industry. Norway’s regulations for petroleum operations offshore and on land are risk-based, and give great emphasis to principles for reducing health, safety and environmental (HSE) risk. They have been developed over more than 40 years, changing from detailed prescriptive regulations in the early days to the present requirements, which are largely formulated in performance-based (functional) terms. They specify requirements for the various aspects, characteristics or qualities which a product, process or service must possess. In our regulations there are requirements for reporting incidents and specifically to report on damages to load-bearing structures and pipeline systems. About 2900 incidents with risers and pipelines were reported on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) from 1975 to January 2017. Of these, 2/3 related to pipelines and 1/3 to risers, and they were of varying degrees of severity. The incidents with highest risk for personnel concerned risers and more than 80 reported major incidents involving flexible risers occurred in the period from 2000–2016. This paper will briefly summarise the development of the regulations and give examples from the pipeline regulations and the way the PSA follows up the industry today. We will also present statistical data of incidents related to risers. Since the start of the trends in risk level project (RNNP) on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) in 1999–2000 there has been 84 reported riser incidents (classified as major in the PSA RNNP-project) where most of those incidents are related to flexibles. There has been no major accident related to risers on the NCS in the same period and very few leaks. 8 of 11 reported leaks for pipelines and risers within the safety zone has been from flexible risers, with relatively low leak rates.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (1) ◽  
pp. 2726-2742
Author(s):  
Ståle Jensen

ABSTRACT How can we continuously develop and improve large scale emergency preparedness, such as oil spill response, in times of low oil prices, budget cuts and downsizing? NOFO (Norwegian Clean Seas Association For Operating Companies) has found its path, through modernization and cooperation. When there are spills of crude oil from the petroleum industry at the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) NOFO will perform the oil spill response (OSR) on behalf of the owner of the spill, in practical terms becoming the company’s OSR branch during the incident. NOFO was founded in 1978, as a response to the large blowout at the Bravo field the previous year. Focus on offshore OSR technology and combat strategies has been the main motivation during our almost 40 year’s existence. The last decade has included a significant improvement in our competence and training on near-shore and beach OSR, simultaneously maintaining the unique offshore segment. As part of improving NOFO capacity within large scale, and / or long duration spill situations (e.g. Macondo), NOFO have embraced and implemented ICS (Incident Command System), thus improving our capabilities and capacities through the whole range from offshore to shoreline OSR. Through 2015 and 2016 ICS training and ICS adaptions of previous organizational systems has been prioritized, and new ones have been developed. NOFO personnel have participated in numerous training sessions and exercises with our member companies (operators on the Norwegian continental shelf) nationally and internationally. Through strategic choices of planning and collaboration both internally in NOFO and between NOFO and the Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA), Global Response Network (GRN), other oil spill Response Organizations (OSROs) and cooperating partners, the number of exercises has increased, the value and output of exercises is improved, and thus the capacity and capability of NOFOs whole range OSR in improved. At the same time, on behalf of our members, NOFO have consumed less money year after year. NOFO is developing and improving our proven OSR capacity and competence, from offshore to shoreline, through increased efficiency, high focus on exercise training, and cooperation with other OSR agencies.


Author(s):  
Arne Kvitrud ◽  
Gerhard Ersdal ◽  
Jan-Erik Vinnem

To monitor the development of the risk of major accidents of structures and maritime systems on the Norwegian Continental Shelf a set of incident indicators has been established. These indicators are given a weight related to the fatality risk predictions in order to develop a total risk indicator. Aggregated and weighted indicators as well as individual indicators are presented and evaluated. In addition indicators related to barriers are established giving a method to monitor the performance as a function of time, and to benchmark the participants in the industry. The present paper describes the method used in the risk level project to monitor the risk related with emphasis on structures and maritime systems, including hazards as wave in deck, vessel collisions and cracks on the structures. The paper further presents the actual development using the methodology, and the identified major contributors to the risk level.


Author(s):  
Trond Sundby ◽  
Kjell Arild Anfinsen

The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) is an independent government regulator responsible for safety, emergency preparedness and the working environment in the Norwegian petroleum industry. Norway’s regulations for petroleum operations offshore and on land are risk-based, and give great emphasis to principles for reducing health, safety and environmental (HSE) risk. They have been developed over more than 40 years, changing from detailed prescriptive regulations in the early days to the present requirements, which are largely formulated in performance-based (functional) terms. They specify requirements for the various aspects, characteristics or qualities which a product, process or service must possess. These requirements express the performance or result which the product, process or service is to yield — in other words, what the government wishes to achieve through them. The Norwegian petroleum industry embraces 15 500 km of pipelines, about half of which are large trunk lines for gas transport. This paper will summarise the development of the regulations and give examples from the pipeline regulations and the way the PSA follows up the industry today. We will also present statistical data for incidents involving pipelines and risers over the past decade, and highlight areas where we think the industry has a potential for improvement.


2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 (1) ◽  
pp. 345-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kari Stokke ◽  
Jon Rødal

ABSTRACT The Norwegian Clean Seas Association for Operating Companies (NOFO) is responsible for oil spill response, planning, and preparedness on behalf of the companies that are operating on the Norwegian continental shelf The responsibility includes initial response offshore, as well as coastal protection and shoreline cleanup. NOFO is developing a plan for regional oil spill preparedness to be implemented in 2001. The plan is based on risk assessment and covers planned oil production activities in the Norwegian offshore sector. Previously, NOFO's oil spill response plan was based on authority requirements and recognized standards. NOFO is now proposing a risk-based approach, aiming to identify the need for oil spill response in different areas of the Norwegian sector. The new approach is based on estimated probability of oil spill situations, dimensioning oil spill scenarios, and oil drift modeling to define arrival time to shore, coastal areas at risk, and amount of oil that may possibly reach the shore. The risk-based approach is an alternative to traditional “worst case” considerations and allows implementation of more cost-effective measures.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Gasda ◽  
Ivar Aavatsmark ◽  
Bahman Bohloli ◽  
Helge Hellevang ◽  
Jan Nordbotten ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 145507252110078
Author(s):  
Thi-Thuy-Dung Nguyen ◽  
Eleonor Säfsten ◽  
Filip Andersson ◽  
Maria Rosaria Galanti

Aim: This two-arm parallel randomised controlled trial explored the effectiveness of a brief counselling model compared with the usual multi-session counselling at an alcohol telephone helpline. Methods: A total of 320 callers who contacted the Swedish Alcohol Helpline (SAH) because of hazardous or harmful alcohol use were randomised to either brief structured intervention (self-help booklet plus one proactive call) or usual care (multi-session telephone counselling). The primary outcome was a downward shift in risk level at 12-month follow-up compared with baseline, based on self-reports. Sustained risk level reduction throughout the whole follow-up was also assessed as secondary outcome. Results: Both interventions were significantly associated with a shift to a lower level of risky alcohol use (75% among participants in the brief structured intervention, and 70% in the usual care group) after 12 months. There was no difference between the two interventions in the proportions changing alcohol use or sustaining risk level reduction. Conclusion: In the context of telephone helplines, minimal and extended interventions appear to be equally effective in promoting long-term change in alcohol use.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document