Alternatives for Inspecting Outer Continental Shelf Operations

Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 9780309042277
eISBN Pdf: 9780309582520
Place of publication: United States
Year of digital publication: 1990
Month: January
Pages: 123
DDC: 388
Language: English

Caption

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.

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
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