Ageing facilities and lifting operations are concerns for offshore rigs

Australia’s National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) is conducting a national awareness campaign to alert employers and the workforce to two major risk categories currently facing the industry.

Ageing facilities and lifting operations on offshore petroleum installations are the focus of the campaign. Ageing facilities pose an increased risk of hydrocarbon releases, while lifting operations increase the risk of injury to individuals.

Held in Perth on 25 February and Melbourne on 29 February, the workshops will share the latest findings and promote safe practices for industry operators.

The CEO of NOPSA, John Clegg, said that ageing facilities in the oil and gas industry were a global problem and had the potential to heighten risk.

“Many operators are using facilities on a ‘life extension’ basis, which means that the operating life of the facility has been extended beyond its original ‘use-by date’. Because of this, operators undertake risk assessment and improvement programs,” he said.

Lifting operations are some of the routine tasks carried out on offshore facilities, yet are recognised globally as carrying significant risk.

“We need a continued focus to improve safety in these risky but routine offshore operations,” Clegg said.

Clegg said that the Australian offshore petroleum industry generally manages the hazards associated with its operations very successfully, but there is no room for complacency.