The project has so far reviewed the report from BP’s own investigation into the accident.
This review has led to the following recommendations, which is also sent as a letter to all operators and drilling contractors on the NCS.Download the letter here
Well Control
1) Expand the Scope of Work for the Drilling Managers Forum (DMF) Well Control Incident Categorization Taskforce to include:
a. Developing a standardized categorization methodology for communication and sharing well control incidents.
2) Norwegian Oil and Gas Association Executive Operations Committee shall recommend to all operators in the NCS to review/revise internal steering documentation to include these recommended elements in their respective MOC requirements.
3) Norwegian Oil and Gas Association Executive Operations Committee shall recommend to all drilling contractors in the NCS to review / revise internal steering documentation to include these recommended elements in their respective MOC requirements.
4) Establish in the current revision of Norsok D001: recommended practice for prepping BOP’s for ROV activation.
5) Norwegian Oil and Gas Association Executive Operations Committee shall recommend to all operators and drilling contractors in the NCS to review / revise internal steering documentation to include a requirement for the preparation of well control bridging documents for all future drilling operations.
Competence
Establish a new Norwegian Oil and Gas Association sub-group to align and coordinate with global initiatives with focus on skills development and competency assurance (OGP-GIRG, OSPRAG-TRG on Competency):
- Establish minimum technical training requirements and competency assessment programs for key operational and leadership positions involved in deepwater drilling and well operations.
- Develop and implement advanced well control training for deepwater operations as an additional requirement to existing well control training standards and certifications.
- Develop and implement a training and qualification process for sub sea personnel responsible for the operation, maintenance, and modifications of sub sea well control systems.
Well Capping and Containment
Norwegian Oil and Gas Association-project will support but not participate in the global project. The project manager will follow-up with the Statoil project representative and inform the project group of key developments.
Companies must establish their own strategies and decision processes regarding involvement in the OGP-GIRG Global Capping and Containment initiative being led by Shell.
Oil Spill Response
Perform gap–analysis of the Norwegian Clean Seas Association for Operating Companies(NOFO) competencies and capacities related to existing E&P emergency preparedness plans for all four barriers, and an oil spill lasting for 60 days anywhere on the NCS.
Develop a cooperative agreement between North Sea oil producing countries for Oil Spill Response.
Evaluate burning of oil as a supplementary method of clean-up for Norway.
Follow up the development for the use of dispersants subsea as part of the OGP Global Capping and Containment Project.
Unified Command
Establish a sub-group to evaluate implementation of the Incident Command model in Norway.
The sub-group should have members from the emergency response organisation in selected companies, NOFO and the authorities.
Chemical exposure in connection with accidents and spills
Incidents that lead to discharge of hydrocarbons can result in exposure of the involved personnel to various chemicals. Exposure can occur both in connection with the actual accident, mitigation operations and in connection with clean-up. Several of these chemicals can lead to unfortunate health effects.
Read the recommendations from the Norwegian Oil and Gas Association project here.