The North Sea is certainly representing the most demanding environmental challenge so far experienced in offshore oil and gas production. The distance from ashore is also generally greater than in most other offshore production areas, and the water depths are increasing toward the north. Because of this situation, combined with the fact that only very short advanced storm warnings are available, evacuation of personnel before severe storm periods is out of the question.
Concern over pollution has increased markedly during recent years. Both air, land and water pollution and the degradation of our environment have become increasingly important social issues. In this respect, as well as with respect to the safety of men, the consequences of a failure of an offshore structure or installed equipment may be very considerable.
A consequence of this situation is that all offshore activities related to oil and gas must be carried out by the best possible technical equipment, and all possible precautions must be taken in order to increase safety.
In spite of the fact that offshore oil production has been going on for some decades, there has been very limited legislation to ensure certain safety criteria to be met with, although such regulations have been rather common with respect to onshore structures.
On the background mentioned above, the governments in the countries responsible for the North Sea area have found it necessary to establish certain regulations in connection with the development of this continental shelf.
The practice and philosophy of the regulatory system might differ to some extent in the different countries, but the common attitude has been to establish a rather detailed follow-up of all phases in order to ensure that adequate safety standards are fulfilled.
In Norway this attitude has been practiced since the starting up of the Ekofisk development (1970–71), although no detailed regulations at that time were available. DnV has in this case acted as consultant to the government, and detailed specifications were agreed upon with the oil companies, until more general regulations were published (DnV: Rules for the Design, Construction and Inspection of Fixed Offshore Structures). Further governmental regulations will also be available in the near future.
In Britain The Off-Shore Installations (Construction and Survey) Regulations 1974 came into operation May 1, 1974. The draft regulations were, however, applied voluntarily to a great extent at least 1 year earlier. According to _these regulations, each structure placed in British waters has to possess a Certificate of Fitness issued by a Certifying Authority recognized by the Secretary of State, Department of Energy.
The practice of certification and the requirements applied are very' much. the same on the British and Norwegian side, and it actually means a detailed scrutiny and inspection of environmental conditions, design and calculations, fabrication, foundation and installation of the structures, as well as of process equipment, safety systems, etc.
This arrangement is probably the most severe governmental involvement practiced any place, and it has certainly not been without problems for the oil companies to get used to it.
