DNV Urges O&G Industry to Focus on Improved Safety Ahead of Piper 25 Conference

DNV is urging the global oil and gas industry to strengthen its focus on safety risk analysis and be better prepared for incidents ahead of the Piper 25 conference.

The organisation will present two papers at the conference, which is a special three day event taking place at the AECC in Aberdeen from 18-20 June and will be chaired by Oil & Gas UK chief executive, Malcolm Webb.  It is aimed at bringing together people from across the oil and gas industry to reflect on the lessons learnt from the tragedy of 25 years, review how far offshore safety has evolved since and to reinforce industry commitment to continuous improvement.  A high turnout is expected to attend the commemorative event.

Peter Boyle, Director Business Development DNV UK will present his findings on what has been learned since the Piper Alpha disaster and how the industry can be better prepared.

On July 6, 1988, the Piper Alpha oil platform experienced a series of 10 catastrophic explosions and fires. This platform, located in the North Sea approximately 110 miles from Aberdeen, Scotland, had 226 people on board at the time of the event, 165 15 of whom perished (in addition, two emergency response personnel died during a rescue attempt). The platform was totally destroyed.

Viken Chinien, Head of Safety Health and Environmental Risk, DNV London and Asmund Huser, Principal Specialist, Safety Risk Assessment, DNV Oslo, will discuss risk based design and how uncertainties involved in standards and codes of practice may not be appropriate, and that other forms of analysis are better suited in the design process.  The presentation will also explore how in extreme circumstances, the issues around explosion overpressure or heat load in a structure, may be so high that it is impractical to design for a structure to withstand the impact.

Viken Chinien, Amund Huser and Peter Boyle will join many of the industry’s renowned leaders and innovators including Lord Cullen of Whitekirk, who led the inquiry into the disaster which killed 168 men and Judith Hackitt CBE, Chair of the UK HSE.

Hari Vamadevan, DNV’s UK Regional Manager said it was a great honour for the company to be able to present at such a prestigious and thought provoking event.  “The Piper Alpha catastrophe in 1988 continues to radically shape and influence all operations and activity across the global industry.  It was a tragic reminder of the risky work that is carried out offshore to ensure energy supply at home.  This conference will not only commemorate the 167 men who died, but is also a clear sign that those involved in the oil and gas industry are not complacent in their efforts to improve health and safety and are constantly working together to mitigate and eliminate risk.”

“The presentations by Peter and Viken will highlight DNV’s commitment to this issue and provide information and guidance to ensure that such an incident does not occur preparedness again.”

Both DNV papers will be presented on Thursday 20 June.