During the period 9 April – 11 December 2009, the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) conducted an audit of parts of the technical safety discipline on Heidrun. We identified no nonconformities in relation to regulatory requirements.

The audit was conducted with a start-up meeting on 9 April 2009 and verification on Heidrun (photo) in the period 9 – 11 December 2009. In connection with the audit we had conversations with relevant personnel and conducted tests and verifications in documentation and facilities.

PSA emphasised the following areas in particular during the audit:

•Explosion safety •Passive fire protection •Active fire protection •Fire and gas detection system •Emergency shutdown system •Emergency power Background for the audit The audit was related to the PSA’s main priority ”Technical and operational safety” with the aim of following up the industry’s safeguarding of safety-critical barriers in a uniform and consistent manner, limiting the risk of major accidents as much as possible.

Technical safety is a key component of the technical barriers (safety functions), and safeguarding this in a good manner is important to maintain an acceptable risk level.

Purpose of the audit The purpose of the audit was to confirm that Statoil plans, manages and carries out its activities in a manner that ensures that the operation and maintenance of Heidrun comply with applicable regulations and recognised standards.

Statoil follows up the safety systems through technical condition safety (Teknisk Tilstand Sikkerhet (TTS)) reviews. Statoil’s follow-up of TTS findings was central in this audit.

Result of the audit The audit showed that personnel on Heidrun follow up and pay attention to the findings made following the TTS mapping. Planning and implementation of activities on Heidrun are carried out in cooperation between land and offshore.

The report contains items where there is a potential for improvements. Tests conducted of safety-critical barriers (A10 report in SAP) show that the reliability of some systems can be improved.

During the audit, function tests were carried out in connection with selected safety systems.

Tags: Petroleum Safety Authority