PSA audits North Sea Valhall drilling automation measures
March 23, 2020
The Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority has identified three improvement points from its audit of Aker BP and the modification, digitalization, and automation of the drilling installation on the Valhall IP platform in the southern Norwegian North Sea.
(Courtesy Aker BP)
The Valhall complex in the southern Norwegian North Sea.
Offshore staff
OSLO, Norway – The Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) has identified three improvement points from its audit of Aker BP and the modification, digitalization, and automation of the drilling installation on the Valhall IP platform in the southern Norwegian North Sea.
According to the PSA, the audit, performed between April 2019 and January 2020, was conducted to verify the robustness of processes linked to the qualification of new technology, equipment and systems, and to identify and address any potential risks associated with the planned modification of the drilling installation and relocation of the drillers’ cabin at Valhall IP.
The Valhall IP Performinator project entails the following planned changes at the platform:
Robotic automation of pipe handling on the drill floor and pipe deck (five electrically-operated robots)
Relocation of the drillers’ cabin to the office module on the other side of the rig
Camera surveillance of the drill floor by remote control from the drillers’ cabin
Robotic barriers for automated/electrical enclosure of the drill floor using sensors to avoid human presence in the red zone
Reduction in the number of manual lifts, lifting and crane operations.
Although the audit revealed no new non-conformities, the PSA has requested three improvements concerning decision support and decision-making criteria for sub-deliveries in the project; preparation of required documentation for barrier functions and safety-critical equipment; documentation of criteria for qualification of new technology and equipment.
