During the period 19 December 2008 – 27 January 2009, the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) conducted an audit of how BP Norge AS (BP) manages working environment and materials handling in connection with the design of new living quarters for Valhall.

The audit was conducted by means of a meeting on 19 December 2008 at Forus where BP presented its follow-up of the project, a meeting with the employees on 9 January 2009 and interviews at SLP Engineering Limited (SLP) on 14 and 15 January 2009.

Background for the audit BP submitted a Plan for Development and Operation for the Valhall Redevelopment project to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy on 21 March 2007. The plan comprises construction of a process and living quarters facility on the Valhall field (illustration) as well as extensive modifications to existing facilities.

The initial engineering of the living quarters module was done by Fabricom in Stavanger. The detailed design and construction of this module is being carried out by SLP in England. The plan is to have the living quarters completed by May 2010.

Purpose of the audit The purpose of the audit was to verify that the engineering was carried out in accordance with the regulatory provisions that are to ensure a satisfactory working environment on the facility, and that the various players contribute to good and suitable solutions.

Another objective of the audit activity was to determine whether the various players have understood the regulatory requirements related to working environment, and whether they have established appropriate management systems for following up working environment factors and materials handling. An important part of the audit was also to verify that BP has facilitated good processes for employment participation.

Result of the audit During the audit, the PSA's focus was on systems aimed at following up working environment factors in the project, and there was little evaluation of specific design solutions.

Assuming that good processes exist for following up the working environment as regards detailed design, as well as a thorough evaluation and implementation of relevant improvement suggestions that emerge, it is our opinion that the living quarters can provide good working environment conditions.

With regard to positive factors in the project, we would note good competence on the part of BP's and SLP's working environment personnel, as well as the fact that good systems had been established for following up the working environment.

Tags: BP Norge AS, Petroleum Safety Authority