ONS, Stavanger, Norway: One year on since the EU Directive on Safety of Offshore Oil and Gas Operations (2013/30/EU) came into force, DNV GL is launching a service specification document to help operators identify the key aspects which benefit from third-party verification during operations. The specification for in-service verification supports the global oil and gas industry to cut costs while maintaining safety and environmental performance levels.
DNV GL has produced this document to provide a framework for carrying out in-service verification which details a consistent and structured approach for assessing the condition of critical barriers for offshore and onshore facilities in-service. Naturally, this is aimed at operators within EU countries that need support on how to apply the new directive, but equally it can be applied in countries with limited regulatory requirements where operators can take advantage of a consistency in approach to safety barrier management.
In the EU, the directive is a major step forward for the industry to reduce the risk of major accidents associated with offshore oil and gas operations. Implementation of in-service verification activities will increase knowledge of the condition of critical plant. This will reduce cost and bring time savings through avoiding undue attention to areas and activities that are low contributors to risk.
“Our in-service verification services can be adopted and adapted for any oil and gas producing country, regardless of the current extent of local legislative requirements. We have the competence and experience in delivery of in-service verification services to support a risk-based approach to safety,” says Astri Haukerud, Global Service Area Leader for verification services in DNV GL - Oil & Gas.
DNV GL was recently awarded a five-year contract to provide in-service verification work for Wintershall Noordzee B.V.’s (‘WINZ) RAVN and A6-A platforms, in Denmark and Germany respectively. In-service independent verification has historically been required by regulators in Denmark, UK, China & Indonesia. However, the regulatory requirements are very different from one country to the next.
Elisabeth Tørstad, CEO, DNV GL - Oil & Gas, adds: “At a time when the global industry is looking to make cost efficiencies, our tried and tested in-service verification capabilities and services can provide a cost-effective, demonstrable and auditable case for safety that has global relevance.”
Tragedies such as Macondo and Piper Alpha have galvanized the industry to reduce major accidents offshore and to limit their consequences should they occur, and we welcome the EU Offshore Safety Directive as a great initiative to reduce major accident risk. With years of experience in verification, DNV GL knows the value that can be unlocked through a systematic and effective approach to risk management. With in-service verification, we can more easily identify the pain-points, optimizing a healthy balance of safety and reliability - enabling cost savings through both safer and smarter operations.”