The dangers of ageing offshore installations has been brought to the attention of public liability insurance holders.
A programme of inspection of gas and oil rigs on the UK continental shelf is currently being carried out to ensure that these constructions do not have an adverse effect on health and safety . According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), after 40 years of oil and gas production in the North Sea, over half of the fixed platforms have exceeded their original design life, or will do so in the near future.
Steve Walker, HSE’s head of offshore safety, told senior industry managers and policy makers at a seminar in Aberdeen that the safety of 28,000 workers depends on systems and structures being in good working order.
He said: “We will be seeking evidence and reassurance that operators are properly considering ageing and life extension as a key and distinct part of their asset integrity management plans, which is an issue which might affect public liability insurance holders.”