The IRF comprises various authorities responsible for regulating health, safety and the environment in offshore petroleum activities.
“One important aspect of the meeting was to share information about the ongoing challenges created by Covid-19 and to discuss the measures necessary for reducing the risks associated with the pandemic, both immediately and in the future”, says the PSA’s Director General, Anne Myhrvold.
“In this regard, we see that long-term risks inherent in deferred maintenance and capacity losses among personnel are concerns shared by all member countries.
It was also made clear that the authorities in all member countries are expecting cost reductions driven by lower oil prices to not compromise on safety”, she states.
Over two days of virtual meetings, the forum discussed strategic topics such as well control, digitalisation, investigation of incidents and learning. The IRF members also reviewed key results from 2019 and shared the statuses of their respective main priorities.
Also on the programme was an update on the work of colleagues in the IOPER (International Offshore Petroleum Environmental Regulators). By way of conclusion, the IRF discussed the present and potential future roles of the offshore petroleum authorities in the transition to offshore renewable energy.