Offshore staff
STAVANGER, Norway – One year since the EU Directive on Safety of Offshore Oil and Gas Operations came into force, DNV GL has introduced a service specification document designed to help operators identify the key aspects that benefit from third party-verification during operations.
The specification for in-service verification supports the global oil and gas industry in cutting costs while maintaining safety and environmental performance levels, the organization says.
DNV GL has produced this document to provide a framework for carrying out in-service verification, which details a consistent and structured approach for assessing the condition of critical barriers for offshore and onshore facilities in-service.
The release is aimed at EU operators that need support on how to apply the new directive, but that it can equally be applied in countries with limited regulatory requirements, where operators can take advantage of a consistency in approach to safety barrier management.
In the EU, the directive is a major step forward for the industry in reducing the risk of major accidents associated with offshore oil and gas operations. Implementation of in-service verification activities can increase knowledge of the condition of critical plant. This can work to reduce cost and bring time savings through avoiding undue attention to areas and activities that are low contributors to risk, DNV GL says.
In August, DNV GL was awarded a five-year contract to provide in-service verification work for Wintershall Noordzee BV’s (Winz)Ravn and A6-A platforms in Denmark and Germany, respectively. In-service independent verification has historically been required by regulators in Denmark, UK, China, and Indonesia.
Elisabeth Tørstad, CEO, DNV GL - Oil & Gas, adds: “Tragedies such as Macondo and Piper Alpha have galvanized the industry to reduce major accidents offshore and to limit their consequences should they occur, and we welcome the EU Offshore Safety Directive as a great initiative to reduce major accident risk.
“With years of experience in verification, DNV GL knows the value that can be unlocked through a systematic and effective approach to risk management. With in-service verification, we can more easily identify the pain-points, optimizing a healthy balance of safety and reliability - enabling cost savings through both safer and smarter operations.”
09/01/2016
