PSA Orders Oseberg B and Gullfaks C BOP Checkup

The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) has issued an order to Statoil following audits at Oseberg B and Gullfaks C.

Namely, between November 10, 2014 and January 29, 2015, the PSA conducted audits at Oseberg B and Gullfaks C. The audits followed up and verified the auditing performed in 2013 relating to the signing of new drilling contracts for Statoil’s fixed facilities.

According to PSA, the audits found that safety-critical equipment had not been monitored as required in the HSE regulations for petroleum activities. This applies primarily to the BOP control system, which was chosen as a particular object of verification subject during this audit.

Based on the findings made during the audit, the PSA issued Statoil with a notification of order.

However, Statoil has now been issued with the following order:

“Pursuant to the Framework Regulations, section 69 concerning administrative decisions, with reference to section 5 of the Management Regulations, concerning barriers, and section 51 of the Activities Regulations, concerning specific requirements for testing of blowout preventer and other pressure control equipment, Statoil is ordered to obtain an overall and up-to-date status picture of the BOP control systems at Oseberg B and Gullfaks C, with reference to chapter 5.1.1 of the report. Based on this status picture, Statoil is ordered to produce a time-delimited, binding schedule of measures for overhauling and recertification, with reference to chapter 5.1.2 of the report,” the PSA said.

The deadline for complying with the order is set at 4 September 2015.