Aker BP – Alvheim – Risk and Barrier Management of Stability Incidents

The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) has carried out an audit of Aker BP focused on their holistic risk and barrier management of stability incidents at Alvheim.

The audit was conducted from 9 to 16 December 2021.

Objective
The objective of the audit was to monitor that Aker BP has a holistic approach to managing risks and barriers, from planning, via execution, to inspection and rectification. This included how the risk picture and associated barrier functions and elements were established, follow-up of a chain of events, how instruction is given, and how applicable training and drills are undertaken.

In particular, we looked at how barrier management is exercised in practising for stability incidents.

Result
The audit identified five non-conformities. These comprised:
- Deficiencies in barrier management in relation to fault, hazard and accident situations in maritime systems
- Training and drills
- Working hours and workload
- Competence in respect of lifeboat 5
- Non-self-closing doors in fire walls.

We also observed one factor that we have chosen to categorize as an improvement point. This concerned:
- Deficient description in contingency plans for DFUs

What happens now?
We have asked Aker BP to report by 1 April 2022 on how the non-conformities will be addressed, and for their assessment of the improvement point observed.