PSA Carries Out Audit of Management on Heimdal

From 3-6 October 2011, the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) carried out an audit of management of operation and maintenance on Heimdal and the Heimdal riser platform (HRP).

 Objective

The objective of the activity was to assess aspects of the management of preventive and corrective maintenance, including lags and outstanding maintenance on Heimdal and HRP, in relation to the company’s own requirements and regulatory requirements. This involved ensuring that the framework which the organisation and operative personnel work under accommodates safeguarding of these requirements.

 Results

The PSA has been informed that the Heimdal organisation is in a period which entails a considerable shift in strategies. The lifetime of the Heimdal facility expires in 2014 and shutting down the facility was previously considered.

New plans entail that Statoil has planned to apply to the PSA regarding an extended lifetime for Heimdal. This change in strategy means that the organisation is experiencing challenges e.g. associated with cost management, capacity, resources and necessary maintenance, in order for safety and operations results considerations to be properly safeguarded.

During the audit activity there was a positive involvement on the facility as a result of this strategy shift.

Nonconformities were identified in connection with:

• maintenance management and assessment of the risk picture
• labelling of equipment
• follow up of equipment which belongs to third parties
• control over and overview of exemptions/nonconformities
• fire protection of pipes and valves

Furthermore, improvement items were identified in connection with:

• management of storage and material handling
• expertise and training
• job descriptions
• Gassco’s supervisory duty
• corrosion
• maintenance of safety-critical valves (PSV)

[mappress]

Offshore Nieuws Staff, December 30, 2011; Image: npd