SAFETY CASE DEVELOPMENT
Over the last decade Marex has compiled well over 100 safety cases for
mobile offshore units. Cases have been developed for semi-submersibles
ranging from some nearly 30 years old, to new rigs under construction in the
Far East. Safety cases have also been compiled, and approvals achieved, for
drill ships, jack-ups and monohulls, including well intervention ships and one
of the first DP accommodation vessels to enter service.
The work has consisted of qualitative and quantitative major hazard risk
assessments, safety management system summaries and the inclusion of
technical details, as well as the development of complete workplace and
PFEER Assessments. Safety cases have been developed using a variety
of templates including the IADC International Safety Case format, the
IADC North West European Safety Case format, or client specific formats.
Regardless of which format has been used, all safety cases presented for
UK HSE "acceptance" since 2006 have been developed in accordance with
the 2005 Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations. Prior to that date
safety cases were presented in accordance with the requirements of the
Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations 1992.
Thorough Review
Five yearly Thorough Reviews of Safety Cases are regularly being carried out by Marex for Drilling Contractors worldwide.
Major Accident Hazard Risk Assessments
These have also been undertaken, and safety cases written for mobile units operating outwith the UK regulatory regime, whose owners’ never-the-less wish to maintain high standards of safety and to assure their clients of the same.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE MANUALS
Based on the company’s detailed knowledge of offshore risks, Marex has been engaged to write many Emergency Response Manuals for mobile units. The work has included the development of realistic and operable Station Bills.
In accordance with the UK PFEER (Prevention of Fire and Explosion and Emergency Response) Regulations, these documents are provided with instructions, guidance, flowcharts and checklists.
VERIFICATION SCHEMES
In response to the requirements of PFEER and DCR (the Design and Construction Regulations), Marex have developed verification schemes and performance standards for jack-ups, semi-submersibles and DP mobile units and has put in place more than 20 schemes on behalf of clients.
In conjunction with this activity, Marex consultants have advised on maintenance requirements for SCEs (Safety Critical Elements) and have consulted with ICPs (Independent and Competent Persons) on behalf of their clients.
SHIPBOARD OIL POLLUTION EMERGENCY PLANS
Technical authoring activities have included the development of many Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plans (SOPEP), also SMPEP’s and Emergency Response Manuals (ERM) in accordance with the relevant IMO guidance.
BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT PLANS
Marex Marine Services have developed numerous Ballast Water Management Plans (BWMP) for new builds, and vessels currently in service, including the necessary stability calculations. Each Ballast Water Management Plan is written to Class standard for appropriate approval.
MOBILE UNIT MARINE OPERATIONS MANUALS
Marine Operations Manuals have been written for many units in accordance with client’s requirements and in their templates.
Where necessary, conformance with the 1989 MODU Code has been achieved. In addition Marex has advised on Stability Manual changes as a result of modification or lightship increases, in association with the revised Operations Manuals.
COMBINED OPERATIONS NOTIFICATIONS
When they were required by the Safety Case Regulations Marex participated in the development of, or managed the compilation of, a number of Combined Operations Safety Cases, and latterly Combined Operations Notifications.
These involved acting as a focal point for the collection of data from the participating companies, carrying out combined operations risk assessments, developing dropped object studies and compiling the documents in a form acceptable to the clients, and finally the HSE.
It is since the inception of the 2005 Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations, that Marex has assisted its clients with the development of Combined Operations Notifications, and in addition has ensured that the Safety Cases contain the appropriate combined operations information.
RISK ASSESSMENT FACILITATING
The Company has provided facilitators for risk assessments other than those required to identify major accidents for safety case purposes. A number of processes have been used, including Bow-Tie presentations and the knowledge based HAZOPs.
Risk assessments carried out have ranged from assessments of the activities relating to the maintenance of stacked units, to the processes used to bring offshore units back into service after events and accidents.
FMEAs AND FMECAs
FMEAs have been carried out in accordance with client’s requirements or else to an accepted format for:
- • Semi-submersible Ballast Systems
- • Mooring Systems
- • Emergency Mooring Release Systems
- • Jack-up Jacking and Leg Guide Systems
- • Derrick Hoisting Systems
MARINE CONSULTANCY
Marine Representation
MAREX has provided experienced mariners to act as client representatives for rig moves and other marine operations and have carried out numerous warranty surveys, as well as assisting clients with the selection of towing vessels and the organizations of wet and dry tows. Marex has several experienced OVID and CMID staff inspectors.
Company mariners have also organized marine logistics activities, carried out workforce consultations for ERRV sharing and assisted clients with MODU selection.
Offshore Vessel Operations
On behalf of charterers MAREX has monitored the operation of PSVs and ERRVs, and has carried out validation trials to ensure that rescue and recovery performance standards can be met.
Accident and Incident Investigations
Team Leaders and Team Members have been provided for accident and incident investigations relating to marine operations.
Client Representation
Clients have been represented at the following:
- • HSE technical meetings
- • Well Test HAZIDs
- • Marine HAZIDs
Expert Witness Provision
Marex has provided advice where court action was taking place or anticipated in relation to the following:
- • Mooring system and anchor-handler capabilities
- • Injuries during anchor-handling operations
- • Loss of life following AHV capsize.
STUDIES
From time to time the company has been required to carried out studies into current or proposed offshore activities. These have included the following:
Dropped Object Studies
The Marex experienced Risk Engineers are in demand to carry out these
studies for offshore installations.
Personnel Basket/LOLER Compliant Transfer Device Safety Study
The development of a structured argument for the use of LOLER compliant transfer devices for downmanning during an emergency.
Crane Emergency Release System Study
A study which tabled research carried out into crane accidents both in Europe
and the Gulf of Mexico to identify the need for a crane emergency release
system, and other safety considerations relating to the installation of such a
system.
Deep Water BOP Reliability Study
A study into the failures of a deepwater BOP system to identify the
improvements which might be made to the hardware and the maintenance
activities.
Human Factors in Winch Operations on Semi-submersibles
Research into the factors which might lead to serious winch failures during rig
moves and the means by which such failures could be minimised.
Gap Analysis for Norwegian Regulation Compliance
A study to identify the relationship between the UK formal safety assessments
and records, including the safety case and the Norwegian safety legislation to
minimise the need for changes to safety management systems of UK origin.
Mobile Unit Helideck Lighting Reliability Study
A study to provide the client with reasonable proof that the reliability of the
power system providing helideck lighting combined with the frequency of
helicopter operations made the installation of a UPS system unnecessary.
Mobile Unit Terrorist Attack/ Security Breach Study
Marex provided facilitation for a team based risk assessment to determine
frequency and consequence of terrorist attack on offshore units, and from
the risk assessment developed a report and offered guidance as to possible
security improvements.
Flotel Emergency Mooring Release Evaluation
A study into the potential effectiveness of the emergency mooring release
system for an accommodation unit when moored alongside a platform.
Verification Gap Analyses for Units Involved in Combined Operations
An assessment of the Safety Critical Elements, additional to those already
applicable to two units engaged in a combined operation, required to ensure
safety of the personnel involved.
Mobile Unit Emergency Shutdown Strategies
The development of emergency shut down strategies, to minimise the
possibility of ignition of hydrocarbon gas subsequent to a blowout, while
continuing to offer the Command Team the maximum control over the unit.
A Feasibility Study for Liftboat Operations in the North Sea
The development of a strategic document to allow a US Gulf lift boat operator to go through the process of achieving regulatory compliance in UK and to commence operations for a major oil company.
Operator’s Chartered Vessels Mud Tank Cleaning Systems Review
A detailed report subsequent to survey, on the mud tank cleaning capabilities of a major oil company chartered support vessel fleet. Thereafter conducting extensive trials on one vessel and the presenting of the results on behalf of the client to the vessel owners.
A Study into the Causes of Damage to Fabricated Anchors
An investigation into the causes of fabricated anchor damage, using information provided by tow masters and the vessels engaged in anchor handling operations, followed by a report and the addition of guidance to the Operations Manuals.
Pipelayer Transit Allowing for Reduction in Thruster Power
An investigation and report on the best means of moving a ship shaped pipelaying vessel with thruster damage from the area of operations to a designated repair yard.
Levels of Risk and Outcomes Relating to the 10,000 Year Storm
Assistance given to clients to develop structured arguments satisfying the HSE requirement for indication of the best means of ensuring the safety of the offshore workforce in the event of a 10,000 year storm.
Use of Access Basket to replace Man Riding Operations
A regulatory review to determine the relationship between the regulations for the use of access baskets and the Prevention of Fire and Explosion and Emergency Response Regulations (PFEER), followed by offshore risk assessments, workforce consultation meeting with the Health and Safety Executive.
TRAINING
The Company has developed a number of short training courses on instruction from its clients. These include:
The Operation of Support Vessels at Offshore Installations
This is a one day course describing the manner in which offshore support vessels are operated. There is a section on the operation of platform ships and one on anchor-handling activities from the point of view of those on board the vessels. The objective of the course is to familiarize personnel without a marine background, but who work at the interface on board offshore installations, with the strengths and limitations of offshore support vessels.
Familiarization with the Safety Case and its Supporting Documents
It is a legal requirement within the UK offshore regulatory regime that the workforce on board offshore installations be familiarized with the scope and content of their safety case. In addition there are rig owners elsewhere in the world who have developed safety cases or their equivalent, and also wish to ensure that their employees are appraised of the efforts that have been made to ensure their safety. Hence MAREX have developed and presented such courses for its clients.
In addition to the safety case courses for offshore personnel, Marex has also developed a one day course for management to familiarize them with the requirements of the UK Safety Case legislation, and the requirements of the supporting statutes, the Design and Construction Regulations (DCR) and the Prevention or Fire and Explosion and Emergency Response Regulations (PFEER).
Emergency Response Training
It is essential that the operators of offshore installations, whether fixed or mobile, have the systems and personnel available to deal with any foreseeable emergencies. In order to ensure that these capabilities are in place and effective, Marex has provided advice and assistance, and has written training scenarios to test the procedures, systems and personnel, and where necessary has provided role players.
TECHNICAL AUTHORING
Because of its marine expertise and its in house authoring capability MAREX has carried out numerous technical authoring tasks outwith its normal activities. These have included:
An IT Operations Manual and Handbook
The revision of Operator’s Marine Procedures Manuals (from several original sources), including MODUs and FPSOs
The Provision of Cargo System Operating Procedures/checklists and cargo record, log books.
A rig specific Flotel Operations Manual
Collision Risk Management Manual for a small fleet of FPSOs
Onshore Emergency Response Manuals
