Unplanned gas or condensate leaks are precursors to potentially major incidents, fire and explosion.
Preventing hydrocarbon releases (HCRs) – and removing the associated risks – has long been a priority for the oil and gas industry and it now looks like a significant milestone has been met in this on-going challenge.
Back in 2010, the industry recognised that there were still too many HCRs. Despite steady reductions in numbers over the longer-term, the number of HCRs had started to level off without significant improvement.
However, when the HSE published its annual offshore safety statistics in 2010, we actually saw an increase in this number to 187 for the reporting period, with the number of major and significant releases up by more than a third compared to the previous year.
This acted as a wake-up call for the industry and sparked a much needed re-focus on this particular challenge. The UK oil and gas industry came together and at the tail end of 2010 Step Change in Safety set an ambitious target, initiating an industry-wide agreement to a 50% reduction in HCRs over three years, based on the 2009/2010 HSE figures. This means a target of no more than 94 leaks in 2012/2013.
Three years later, did we do it? Well, the data for the most recent reporting period is still being verified by HSE and can take time to be confirmed. However, the preliminary data indicates 77 for this period, giving strong indication that the target has indeed been met after steady reductions each year.
So how was it done?
Step Change in Safety made this target its top priority and asked companies to build the target into their business plans. The programme was co-ordinated by Step Change’s Asset Integrity Steering Group, with dedicated subgroups established to focus on leak reduction, floating installations, verification and technical authorities.
Detailed analysis of incidents was carried out to show root causes and various events were held to widely share learning from different types of incidents. The group also produced guidance for companies on what their hydrocarbon release reduction plans should consist of, using good practice from the top companies whose plans had been singled out by HSE as being particularly noteworthy.
In parallel, Step Change’s Competence Steering Group focused on mechanical joint integrity, producing guidance and eLearning material using best practice in making, breaking and maintaining joints.
In addition, collaborative work with HSE was carried out in order to enhance the HSE hydrocarbon release database to enable better root cause analysis.
So while the UK oil and gas industry should be rightly proud that this ambitious target looks like it has been met, we must retain our focus. No leak is acceptable and we must guard against complacency.
Let’s not forget that one of the leaks covered during the reporting period was the Elgin incident, where an HCR occurred during well decommissioning. This was at the top end of the scale in terms of serious hydrocarbon releases, though good emergency response management at the site ensured no one was hurt. Therefore, just because we believe we have met our target does not mean the focus will be shifted away from HCRs.
This year saw the launch of Joined-up Thinking, Step Change in Safety’s engagement programme which is designed to increase the offshore workforce’s awareness of different safety issues, with the theme for 2013 being HCRs.
The two key elements to our success so far are strong leadership, which we need to maintain if we are to stay on the path of improvement, coupled with active engagement and involvement of everyone working offshore.
We need everyone to play their part in a shared journey towards continuous improvement. This means you. Whether you’re a managing director, site leader, technician or safety representative – you can make a contribution to safety in the oil and gas industry by getting involved with Step Change and helping us get things done.
Steve Bullock and Geoff Holmes are the co-chairs of Step Change in Safety’s Asset Integrity Steering Group