Offshore staff
ABERDEEN -- Two of the UK’s new Oil Spill Prevention and Response Advisory Group (OSPRAG) review groups have formalized their work plans.
OSPRAG was formed by industry body Oil & Gas UK to review offshore drilling practices across the UK continental shelf following events in the Gulf of Mexico. Early in June, it established four work groups to examine technical, oil spill response capability and remediation, insurance and pan-North Sea response issues.
The technical review group (TRG) has identified the following areas as critical for analysis:
•Subsea containment equipment and systems
•Competency and standards for key onshore and offshore leaders
•Compiling an inventory of BOPs and ROVs currently employed across the UK shelf, including function testing, operating capabilities, modifications and secondary control system needs
•Well examination process
•Verification process
•Compiling an inventory of all wells and their flowing status.
Results of these investigations will be assimilated into an Oil & Gas UK guidance document on well control to be published after the work has been completed.
TRG leader Brian Kinkead said his group planned to focus on well control activities during drilling, completion and intervention operations. It would also “look closely at the change management process, for example carrying out a thorough assessment of existing BOP equipment, including certification, maintenance records and equipment modification procedures.
“Importantly, the TRG will also continue to monitor the lessons emerging from the Gulf of Mexico incident and ensure that implications for the UK continental shelf are considered within the group’s activities.”
OSPRAG’s indemnity and insurance review group is examining potential remediation and compensation costs associated with a range of oil spill scenarios, from minor leaks to major incidents.
06/23/2010
