Offshore staff
OSLO, Norway — The Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) is urging extra vigilance among offshore facility and vessel operators on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).
This follows various recent warnings/notifications concerning observations of unidentified drones/aircraft close to offshore installations.
These airborne vehicles, the Authority warned, could bring increased risk in the helicopter traffic and movements by search and rescue helicopters; ignition source control–equipment without Ex approval close to areas presenting an explosion hazard; and dropped objects–a collision with the facility; and deliberate attacks.
According to section 58 of the framework regulations on warning and notification in connection with entry into safety zones, the PSA must receive warnings and notifications of observations.
All platforms on the NCS are surrounded by a safety zone that normally extends 500 m out from the facility and from the seabed to 500 m above the highest point on the facility.
Infringing a safety zone may be punishable by law, the PSA added, and a possible police investigation.
09.26.2022
