Abstract
The onshore and offshore O&G industry has achieved an outstanding improvement in occupational safety over the past 20 years, however major accident performance has improved much less. The North Sea appears to have a better performance record on major accidents. Process safety initiatives in the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico are compared and key differences identified in two timeframes - since Piper Alpha and since Macondo. The North Sea since Piper Alpha has been driven by performance style regulations that require detailed risk assessment and definition of critical safety barriers and this is combined with safety management and culture programs, and the idea of a safety case. The USA was more prescriptive until Macondo, but since then some performance style regulations have been adopted - such as SEMS. The industry through API, IADC and COS have supported these initiatives. While SEMS is a valuable initiative, further initiatives such as those demonstrated in the North Sea would enhance process safety further in GoM.
