The audit was conducted in 2024 and focussed on the follow-up carried out by drilling contractor Archer on the alarm management systems in the drilling cabins on the Grane, Gullfaks A/B/C, Njord A, Sleipner A, Snorre A/B, Statfjord A/B/C, Valhall and Visund facilities.

Background

Alarms from the control system are often the first warning that operators receive of conditions that are about to get out of control. In recent years, Havtil has conducted audits on the follow-up of alarm systems in central control rooms on drilling facilities, onshore facilities and production facilities.

These audits revealed a number of weaknesses in the alarm systems. We have also encountered challenges associated with high alarm rates and many standing alarms.

This indicates that there may be deficiencies in the follow-up of the systems and the way in which high alarm rates and many standing alarms impact on the working conditions of operators in the drilling cabin.

Objective

The objective of the audit was to verify that the drilling contractor is following up the alarm systems in accordance with the applicable regulations and internal requirements.

Result

The audit identified non-conformities concerning:

  • Inadequate system for follow-up of the alarm systems

Archer had not ensured that personnel performing control and monitoring tasks are able to collect and process information concerning such circumstances in an effective manner at all times. No internal requirements had been set for alarm management.

Order

The audit identified serious breaches of the regulations. On this basis, we have now issued Archer with the following order:

Pursuant to Section 69 of the Framework Regulations on administrative decisions (cf. section 5.1.1 of the report), we order Archer AS to carry out the following on the facilities on which they operate a drilling cabin:

  1. Implement the measures necessary to ensure that alarms can be understood and processed at the time that is necessary to ensure the safe operation of equipment, facilities and processes, and set performance requirements for the alarm management systems adapted to the specific facility; cf. Section 34a of the Facilities Regulations on control and monitoring systems, cf. Section 31 of the Activities Regulations on monitoring and control.
  2. Establish a maintenance programme for monitoring the performance and technical condition of all elements of the alarm management systems; cf. Section 47 of the Activities Regulations on maintenance programme, first and second paragraphs

The deadline for complying with the order is 1 September 2025. We are to be notified when the order has been carried out.