Safety and environmental regulation in the UK North Sea oil industry has come in for praise in an independent review.
But the panel of experts also highlighted some areas for improving standards.
The panel headed by Professor Geoffrey Maitland, of Imperial College, London, recognised the positive steps taken by industry and regulatory authorities after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
The review, commissioned by ministers, recognised merits of the UK’s offshore regime. These included its stringent assessment of environmental impacts; a safety system that requires industry to identify hazards, assess the risks and follow best practice to manage them, and the comprehensive emergency-response framework.
Areas for raising standards included improving the learning culture and processes for spreading best practice, greater integration between the regulatory authorities and a clearer command-and-control structure in the event of a spill.
Prof Maitland said: “We have found a great many positives in the UK’s safety and environmental regulation, in what is generally regarded as a world-leading regime, while identifying areas where there is still scope for further reducing the risks of incidents occurring. Although it is apparent industry and the regulators strongly subscribe to the need for continuous improvement, it is critical that safety and environmental protection is thoroughly embedded in the culture and ethos of the industry.”
Energy Minister Charles Hendry said: “The Deepwater Horizon disaster was a tragic reminder of the need for the highest possible standards of safety and environmental control in the oil industry.
“It is vital for the future of North Sea development that our offshore regulatory regime remains at the forefront of the global industry.
“I am grateful to Professor Maitland and his panel for producing this thorough assessment, which recognises that we have a regime which is already highly regarded by international observers. But . . . I welcome the review’s constructive suggestions for improvement. I am asking the regulators and industry to consider the panel’s findings in detail and to report back to me by July.”
Malcolm Webb, chief executive of industry body Oil and Gas UK, said: “We welcome the Maitland Panel report which acknowledges the particular strengths of the UK’s offshore oil and gas safety and environmental protection regime and highlights that, following the Deepwater Horizon incident, UK operators, regulators and other stakeholders redoubled their efforts to improve their capabilities in these areas.
“The UK’s Oil Spill Prevention and Response Advisory Group, set up in the immediate aftermath of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, is testament to the commitment of industry and regulators to drive for continuous improvement.
“The group moved swiftly to review industry practices and implement any appropriate enhancements. The industry will strive to progress further down this path of continuous improvement in well life-cycle practices and oilspill preparedness through the permanent forums set up under the umbrella of Oil and Gas UK specifically to ensure best practice in these areas is formalised and shared.
“Oil and Gas UK will now carefully review the detailed recommendations contained within the report.”
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