Alternatives for inspecting outer continental shelf operations / Committee on Alternatives for Inspection of Outer Continental Shelf Operations, Marine Board, Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems, National Research Council.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Alternatives for Inspection of Outer Continental Shelf Operations.

Contributor:

National Research Council (U.S.). Marine Board.

National Research Council (U.S.). Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Offshore gas industry--Safety measures.

Offshore gas industry.

Offshore oil well drilling--Safety measures.

Offshore oil well drilling.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (122 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington : National Academy Press, 1990.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Aggressive, effective safety inspection programs are key elements to ensuring that oil- and gas-producing platform operations on the outer continental shelf are conducted in a safe and environmentally sound manner. Although the oil and gas leaseholders themselves are primarily responsible for the soundness of their operations, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) of the Department of the Interior is charged with prescribing safe practices and inspecting platforms. In response to an MMS request, this book examines possible revisions of MMS's inspection system, appraises inspection practices elsewhere--both in government and industry--assesses the advantages and disadvantages of alternative procedures, and recommends potentially more efficient practices aimed at increasing industry's awareness of its accountability for safety.

Contents:

Alternatives for Inspecting Outer Continental Shelf Operations

Copyright

Preface

Contents

Executive Summary

1 Introduction

OVERVIEW OF MMS FUNCTIONS

The Safety Mission

Inspection Budget

OVERVIEW OF THE OCS OPERATIONS

Facilities

Offshore Oil and Gas Operations

Crew Size

Geographic Distribution

Age Factors

Growth in Number of Operating Companies

Systems and Technologies

System Safety Management

Design Considerations

Manufacturing Standards for Safety Equipment

Training

Aspects of Safety on the OCS

Crew Safety

Protection of Facilities and Property

Environmental Protection

Conservation of Resources

SUMMARY

2 Current Inspection Program: Evolution and Practice

PRESENT INSPECTION PRACTICE

Overview of Inspection Program

Inspection Policy

Inspection Procedures

Safety Communication to Operators

Summary

TECHNICAL FOUNDATION FOR INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS

Evolution of the Safety Practices for Drilling Operations

Evolution of the Requirements for Safety Devices for Production Facilities

SAFETY PERFORMANCE RECORD

Adequacy of MMS OCS Safety Information System

Injuries and Fatalities

Exposure and Rates of Incidence of Injuries and Fatalities

Causes of Fatalities and Injuries

Pollution (Spill) Incidents

Fires, Explosions, and Blowouts

Violations Cited During Inspections

3 Major Considerations in Formulating An Inspection Program

RELATIONSHIP OF INSPECTION TO SAFETY

Compliance Versus Performance

How Much Inspection?

Inspecting for Operational Safety

ADVANCES IN SAFETY RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT

CONFORMANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW

4 Alternative Approaches to Safety Inspection

MODIFICATION OF PRESENT PRACTICES

Alternative 1: Increased Inspection Onsite by MMS.

Alternative 2: Inspection of a Sampling of PINCs During Annual Inspections, and Increased Spot Inspections

Illustrative Scenario

Greater Operator Accountability

Safety Analyses

Enhanced Spot Inspections

Alternative 3: Annual Inspection of a Sampling of Facilities, and Increased Spot Inspections

DEPARTURES FROM PRESENT INSPECTION PRACTICE

Alternative 4: Third-Party Inspection With Government Audit

Alternative 5: Self-Inspection

5 Considerations In Evaluating OCS Inspection Alternatives

PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY SAFETY AWARENESS

MAINTAINING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE

View of Congress

Media and Public Opinion

Comparability With Other Federal and State Agency Practices

EFFICIENT USE OF RESOURCES

Government Resources

Operator Resources

Societal Costs and Benefits

QUALIFICATION AND TRAINING OF INSPECTOR FORCE

IDENTIFICATION OF SAFETY TRENDS AND WARNINGS

SAFETY PERFORMANCE ACCOUNTABILITY

ADAPTABILITY OF THE INSPECTION SYSTEM TO CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES

PRECEDENTS

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

6 Assessment of Present Program and Alternatives

PRESENT PROGRAM

Responsiveness in Meeting Present Safety Needs: Adaptability to Changing Circumstances

Responsiveness to Other Evaluation Considerations

Maintenance of Public Confidence

Use of Resources

Qualification and Training of Inspector Force

Identification of Safety Trends and Warnings

Safety Performance Accountability

Precedents

ALTERNATIVE 1: INCREASED INSPECTION ONSITE BY MMS

ALTERNATIVE 2: INSPECTION OF A SAMPLING OF PINCS DURING ANNUAL INSPECTIONS, AND INCREASED SPOT INSPE ...

ALTERNATIVE 3: ANNUAL INSPECTION OF A SAMPLING OF FACILITIES AND INCREASED SPOT INSPECTIONS

ALTERNATIVE 4: THIRD-PARTY INSPECTION WITH GOVERNMENT AUDIT

ALTERNATIVE 5: SELF INSPECTION

RESULTS OF THE ASSESSMENT.

7 Redirection of Inspector Activity to Enhance the Inspection Program

TASK REDIRECTION

Determining the Acceptability of Operator Safety Performance

Identifying Less-Than-Acceptable Operators

Identifying Deteriorating Operations

Data Collection and Review

Verifying the Effectiveness of Regulatory Requirements

Opportunities for Acquiring Verification Data

Information Flow and Access Considerations

Identification of Emerging Safety Risks

Redirection of Inspection Activity

Broadening of Reporting and Investigation Criteria

Dissemination of Investigation Results

Action on Reports of Emerging Safety Risks

INSPECTION FORCE CAPABILITIES

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS

8 Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

RECOMMENDATIONS

References

Appendix A Commentary on Federal Management of OCS Operations

Appendix B U.S. Coast Guard Inspection Program for Fixed OCS Oil and Gas Facilities

GENERAL BACKGROUND

DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW PROGRAM

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS

Appendix C Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, Excerpts (43 U.S.C.)

1331. DEFINITION

1332. CONGRESSIONAL DECLARATION OF POLICY

1348. OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION

1351. OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION

Appendix D Data on PINCs and INCs

Appendix E MMS Inspector Position Description: Petroleum Engineering Technician GS-0802-11 Offshore Oil And Gas District

MAJOR DUTIES

1. Knowledge Required By The Position

2. Supervisory Controls

3. Guidelines

4. Complexity

5. Scope and Effect

6. Personnel Contacts

7. Purpose of Contacts

8. Physical Demands

9. Work Environment

Appendix F Commentary on Representative Safety Goals and Approaches

MODERN SAFETY GOALS

Public Safety

Environmental Safety

SPECIFIC EXAMPLES

Nuclear.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Appendix G Commentary on the Feasibility of Sampling

Appendix H Commentary on United Kingdom and Norwegian Inspection Requirements

UNITED KINGDOM

NORWAY

Glossary.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9786610212460

9781280212468

1280212462

9780309582520

0309582520

9780585149066

0585149062

OCLC:

70773124