Literature Review

Literature Review

In the oil and gas industry, going eight years without a lost-time injury is quite an accomplishment. You may be thinking, “Another year? Is it really that difficult to achieve? Are offshore production activities really that hazardous?” In short, they are not that hazardous if several critical factors are addressed: adherence to an exhaustive safety management programme; experienced leadership; an evervigilant team; and total commitment to avoiding workplace injury and to environmentally responsible work practices. Technology also has an important part to play. Offshore installations operate in challenging, often hostile environments, and they possess both marine and process characteristics, so technological innovation is crucial in their design and operation. Like ships, offshore installations experience hazards such as severe weather, potential collisions with marine vessels and, in a worst-case scenario, possible escape to sea. In addition, platforms contain high-pressure gas and condensate, and potential exposure to hazards associated with onshore processing facilities.

The role of the Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) is of particular importance to the overall safety and performance of the platform. The OIM must appreciate all the particular hazards, and be able to take command in the event of an emergency. The Piper Alpha disaster To fully appreciate the hazards, it's worth recalling the Piper Alpha disaster and the subsequent Piper Alpha Cullen Report (resulting from the public inquiry led by Lord Cullen), which led to a step improvement in offshore installation design and operation around the world. Operations such as RasGas Alpha are the beneficiaries of the report's findings and recommendations.

The disaster took place on 6 July 1988 in the North Sea, when an explosion and subsequent fire ripped through the Piper Alpha oil and gas production platform. Although 62 men escaped, 167 died, mostly trapped in the accommodation quarters with lifeboats inaccessible due to intense heat and smoke. The incident is the world's worst offshore disaster to date. A public inquiry was set up by the UK authorities to examine what had happened and make recommendations to avoid similar incidents in the future. Lord Cullen's RasGas' offshore operation recently achieved its eighth consecutive year without a single lost-time injury - an injury that prevents someone from working. Brett Doherty, Safety, Health and Environment Manager, explains the significance of this accomplishment RasGas MAGAZINE 25 Offshore insta llat ions experience hazards such as severe weat her, potential collisions with marine vessels and, in a worst-case scenario, escape to sea recommendations were adopted completely by the British Parliament and enshrined in legislation. Most of the recommendations, even in the absence of specific regulation in other jurisdictions, have become industry standards since. RasGas offshore facilities: design As RasGas Alpha was built after the Piper Alpha disaster, all substantive improvements recommended in the Cullen Report were included in its design and construction. These include the following key features: Connecting bridge A bridge connects the accommodation platform with the processing and wellhead platforms, for example. Separate accommodation platforms are commonplace in Qatar's North Field as a result of the ...