Most oil and gas professionals believe operators should be liable for the risks associated with their exploration and production activity.
A poll of delegates at OTC found 66% thought operators should accept complete liability, while 33% reckoned E&P risk should be passed on to contractors.
The study was conducted by global independent technical adviser GL Noble Denton.
The poll result comes two years after the Deepwater Horizon accident in the Gulf of Mexico; an event that has triggered a major re-evaluation of the industry’s risk profile.
Pekka Paasivaara, a member of the GL Group executive board, said: “Attitude towards risk has changed dramatically in recent years, causing discussion over who should accept liability if things go wrong. Operators have traditionally accepted liability – except in cases of gross negligence – because they benefit from the upside of production.
“That model has begun to change since the Macondo incident, with some operators passing liability for catastrophic risk to contractors. Our poll shows that the industry at large disagrees with this move, and suggests that operators should be accountable for the consequences of major accidents.”