The UK oil and gas industry has responded well to efforts to improve health and safety, its regulator said yesterday.
Nearly two-thirds (65%) of dutyholders have already had onshore and offshore checks under the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)’s KP4 inspection programme, HSE added.
Industry body Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) said the report highlighted the good progress being made in health and safety.
Launching its interim KP4 findings in Aberdeen, HSE said it was reassuring that senior bosses recognised the importance of controlling risks to asset integrity associated with ageing and the use of platforms and infrastructure beyond their original design life.
Steve Walker, HSE’s head of offshore safety, said: “Ageing is not about how old the equipment is but what is known about its condition and how that is changing over time.
“It needs to be considered a distinct activity within the asset integrity management process.”
He added: “The evidence of knowledge sharing is heartening and I am pleased that the industry is developing guidance documents by pooling resources under Oil and Gas UK.”
Mr Walker said there was still much to do to make sure long-term plans for offshore installations “anticipate and manage the effects of equipment and infrastructure degradation”.
But he added: “The industry is well aware of the risks which will arise if they get this wrong. It must embrace ageing and life extension and identify areas for improvement.”
KP4 got under way in November 2010 and runs until end of 2013, when a final report will be published. OGUK health and safety policy manager Bob Lauder said: “With the right management approach, ageing infrastructure can be maintained to be operated safely and effectively well beyond its originally conceived service life.”
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