Norway’s offshore leaks down, well control issues rising

Offshore staff

OSLO, Norway – Hydrocarbon leaks on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) remained stable and at a relatively low level in 2021, according to Norway’s Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA).

There was an increase in well control incidents, however only one was categorized as serious. The number of construction injuries was lower.

In addition, the overall indicator for major accidents on the NCS fell from 2020 to 2021, and findings suggest the positive trend should continue.

“These results indicate that the industry’s work on risk management is having an effect, and reinforces the picture we have that it has become better at managing underlying factors which influence risk,” said Anne Myhrvold, director general of the PSA.”

“That said,” Myhrvold added, “these are historical data. They give us no guarantee that future incidents will be avoided and must not be used as any form of excuse for inaction…At the same time, we note that progress in important areas is flattening out – where hydrocarbon leaks offshore are concerned, for example. We also see an increase in well control incidents, something the industry must pay extra attention to.”

4/2/2022