This calculation builds on information related to a large number of indicators, which is acquired from the companies and processed in a statistical model.

Many PSA specialists then work on quality assurance of these data and a dedicated team draws conclusions before these results are presented to the Safety Forum and the rest of the industry.

Trends in risk level are measured using two methods which complement each other, including a quantitative tool based on incidents, barrier tests and maintenance data.The other approach utilises social science analyses based on questionnaire-based surveys, interviews, fieldwork and other studies.

Overall, the aim is to provide an integrated presentation of risk which is as nuanced as possible.

Central

Defined situations of hazards and accidents (DSHAs), results from barrier tests and maintenance data occupy key places in the quantitative part of the RNNP analysis.

To normalise the data, information is also acquired on the level of activity – working hours, facilities, wells, production volumes and helicopter transport. We only collect data which the companies have already registered in their own systems.

Incidents

A key part of the RNNP analysis involves data about incidents. In line with the HSE regulations, the companies must report all hazards and accidents to PSA, broken down by different DSHAs.

Our specialists quality-check all the incidents and weight them for their potential before we analyse the results together with external consultants.

The PSA is now developing a common incident-reporting tool to make notifying and reporting easier for both companies and government from 2021. A similar tool for reporting to the RNNP is also in the offing.

What are DSHAs?

Defined hazard and accident situations (DSHAs) are a key part of the base data in the RNNP.

They are defined as a collection of possible observable incidents which the companies must defend against in order to pursue prudent petroleum operations.

They cover incidents with major accident potential, such as hydrocarbon leaks and well control incidents, as well as other events like personal injuries and occupational ill health.

The following DSHAs are included in the RNNP:

DSHA 1 Unignited hydrocarbon leak
DSHA 2 Ignited hydrocarbon leak
DSHA 3 Well incidents/loss of well control
DSHA 4 Fire/explosion in other areas
DSHA 5 Ship on collision course
DSHA 6 Drifting object
DSHA 7 Collision with field-related vessel/facility/shuttle tanker
DSHA 8 Damage to a facility’s structure, stability/anchoring/positioning failure
DSHA 9 Leak from riser, pipeline and subsea production facility
DSHA 10 Damage to riser, pipeline and subsea production facility
DSHA 11 Evacuation
DSHA 12 Helicopter incident
DSHA 13 Man overboard
DSHA 14 Occupational accidents
DSHA 15 Work-related illness
DSHA 16 Full loss of power
DSHA 18 Diving accident
DSHA 19 H2S emission
DSHA 20 Crane and lifting operations
DSHA 21 Dropped objects

The land plants supply data for a selection of DSHAs.

Precondition

Intact barriers are a precondition for safe operations. Test data for selected safety-critical barriers therefore represent a significant contribution to the RNNP. This type of indicator says something about the barrier’s ability to work when needed.

Maintenance

The companies also report information on maintenance, which represents an important aspect of barrier management.

This includes an overview of how much equipment is marked as HSE-critical, and the status of preventive and corrective maintenance as well as backlogs/outstanding amounts of such work.

We go through the information which comes in, assess the figures against earlier years, and request more input if anything is unclear or looks wrong. The data are then incorporated in graphs which have been developed over time to show trends.

Personal injuries

Serious personal injuries are another key area for the RNNP. The companies report these in such categories as fatalities, serious injuries and cases involving lost time or medical treatment.

Injuries suffered offshore during off-work time are also reported, in order to cover the whole period spent out on a facility.

We review all reported injuries and assess their seriousness,” says Inger Danielsen, who handles these statistics in the PSA. “The serious ones are the main concern in the RNNP.

Survey

The RNNP’s questionnaire-based survey is conducted every other year and covers all employees offshore and at the plants on land.

In addition to experience of the working environment, the HSE climate and safety risk, it asks about the employee’s perception of their own health, illnesses and accidents.

This survey also helps to throw light on underlying conditions which could contribute to explaining results from other parts of the RNNP work.

Qualitative

As part of the RNNP survey, a qualitative study is carried out every other year to enhance the quantitative picture of HSE and risk and to dig deeper into various causes of these conditions. The qualitative methodology lets us access interpretations of HSE conditions by the various players.