Elaine Maslin
Oil giant BP said today it was improving procedures offshore Norway following inspections on it and other operators’ installations in the North Sea.
The firm, due in court in the US next year over the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, was issued with a critical report from Norway’s Climate and Pollution Agency – known as KLIF – as part of a crackdown on operators’ emergency preparedness by the authority.
The result of an inspection of its Valhall installation is expected early in the new year.
KLIF’s inspections, which have also seen criticism levelled at French energy giant Total and Norway’s semi-state-owned operator Statoil, were launched in the wake of last year’s catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico.
They have been mirrored in the UK North Sea, where inspections on operators have been increased in 2011 – rising to 67 so far this year, from 59 in 2010, according to a Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) spokesman.
A spokesman for BP said: “An audit of our drilling activities on the Skarv field in Norway in October identified four non-conformities with regulations regarding emergency preparedness.
“BP is already well on the way to closing the gaps identified. For example, one of the gaps has been addressed through the introduction of a new oil detection radar that has been installed as part of preparations for the development of the Skarv field.
“We are also strengthening internal standards, including through improved training, and will ensure improved follow-up and documentation of the exercises.”
DECC’s spokesman said: “The UK’s regulatory bodies are working closely with the industry to ensure that any lessons to be learned from the US Deepwater Horizon incident are understood, effectively communicated and implemented by companies working in the UKCS (UK continental shelf).”
DECC issued a report earlier this month following an independent investigation into standards in the North Sea in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon disaster.
It said the UK’s offshore oil and gas safety and environmental regime was strong but also identified areas for improvement.
These included strengthening mechanisms for implementing safety and environmental management systems, improving the learning and sharing of best practice and clearer command and control structures in the event of a spill.
It also suggested greater integration between regulatory authorities.
Meanwhile, it was reported today that US prosecutors are preparing criminal charges against BP employees – several Houston-based engineers and at least one supervisor – over the Deepwater Horizon accident.
The rig exploded on April 20 last year, killing 11 workers and unleashing millions of barrels of oil into the sea.