Need to update the risk assessments!
Posts Tagged ‘Australia’
“Turbine Turmoil” in Oz
Posted in accidents, Wind Energy, tagged Australia, bridge accident, highway blocked, turbine blocks highway on May 17, 2025| Leave a Comment »
PTTEP joins the CCS parade
Posted in Australia, CCS, well control incidents, tagged Australia, blowout, CCS, Montara, PTTEP on June 8, 2022| Leave a Comment »
“Our knowledge and expertise in geoscience and petroleum engineering represent advantageous foundation for CCS development, leading us towards our carbon emissions reduction target.”
PTTEP
Those who closely followed Australia’s Montara Inquiry in 2010 may be less convinced about PTTEP’s expertise. The Montara well suspension program was completely irresponsible. Even though the production casing cement was clearly compromised, PTTEP suspended the well without a single barrier in the well bore. The company was extremely lucky to have avoided a major safety, environmental, and economic disaster. Perhaps they are a very different company now; I certainly hope so.
The PTTEP announcement adds to our skepticism about the motives of some CCS proponents. Is CCS prudent public policy? That question is by no means settled and there has been very little opportunity for comment and debate. BOE has raised concerns and there are no doubt many more that have yet to be addressed.
Congratulations Stuart Smith!
Posted in Australia, IRF, NOPSEMA, tagged Australia, IRF, NOPSEMA, Stuart Smith on May 15, 2022| Leave a Comment »
After 8 outstanding years with Australia’s offshore safety and environmental regulator, Stuart Smith has announced that he will be departing NOPSEMA in September. Stuart was a highly effective CEO and an important contributor to international offshore safety initiatives. Best wishes to Stuart!
NOPSEMA draft inspection policy document
Posted in Australia, NOPSEMA, Offshore Energy - General, Regulation, tagged Australia, inspection, NOPSEMA, offshore facilities on October 12, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Good read for you inspection and regulatory policy nerds. (I know you’re out there! 😃). The draft policy looks very good at first glance.
If (like me) you can’t help yourself, here is the link for providing feedback.
Australian offshore regulator to undergo review
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Australia, NOPSA, operational review on July 19, 2011| Leave a Comment »
The 2011 Operational Review will examine NOPSA’s activities and legislated functions including engagement with stakeholders, particularly in relation to Safety Case development and the implementation and promotion of improved workplace safety practices and culture.
NOPSA CEO, Jane Cutler, said she welcomes the commencement of the 2011 Operational Review and will be keen to cooperate with the Review team and read the recommendations of the final report, scheduled to be handed to the Minister by Wednesday November 30.
Regular external reviews are valuable if for no other reason than to promote informed discussion, and to provide an opportunity for the public and regulated industry to provide input to an independent panel.
Positive step for Australia
Posted in accidents, tagged accidents, Australia, blowouts, Montara, NOPSA, safety, well control on July 8, 2011| Leave a Comment »
A new system to regulate the offshore gas and oil industry – a direct response to the 2009 Montara north of the Kimberley – has been approved by the Federal Parliament’s lower house.
Under the changes, the seven state and territory authorities will be replaced by a single Commonwealth body, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority.
It will regulate all safety issues from exploration to well decommissioning.
In the US, the jurisdictional conflicts (offshore) differ in that they typically involve multiple Federal regulators with overlapping jurisdiction and different priorities. Since most of the necessary streamlining would only involve Federal agencies, one would think that regulatory reform would be achievable, especially after a major blowout that killed eleven. Unfortunately, meaningful US reform appears to be highly unlikely.
Western Australia vs. Federal Government Dispute Continues
Posted in accidents, well control incidents, tagged accidents, Australia, blowouts, Montara, offshore drilling, well control, Western Australia on June 18, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Resources Minister Martin Ferguson is determined to establish a single national regulator after the Montara oil spill in the Timor Sea leaked oil and gas condensate for more than two months in 2009.
The WA government is at odds with Mr Ferguson over plans for a national regulator and wants to maintain responsibility for oversight of the industry in the state.
Senator Eggleston and Senator David Bushby said the federal government had introduced the legislation to parliament before concluding ongoing negotiations with the WA government. Herald Sun
Meanwhile, still no news regarding any penalties for Montara operator PTTEP. Will there be none?
BOE Update: News and Views
Posted in accidents, cuba, drilling, Florida, Offshore Energy - General, tagged Australia, BOEMRE, BOP, Cairn, Coast Guard, FLNG, Greenland, hurricanes, Mariner Energy, NOAA, Shell on May 31, 2011| 1 Comment »
News: BOEMRE releases report on the September 2010 Mariner Fire in the Gulf of Mexico.
BOE Comments:
- Good report and relatively timely. Nice job by the team.
- Good discussion of the heater-treater and production safety issues.
- This was a very serious incident and lives were jeopardized. Sadly, no oil spill means no public attention.
- Why didn’t the Coast Guard participate in the investigation? Will they be reporting on the haphazard evacuation?
- Age old question: Is the rather extensive discussion of violations appropriate for an accident report? Should violations and enforcement actions be managed independently from accident investigations?
News: Shell takes a FLNG.
BOE: Floating liquefaction facilities open interesting possibilities for producing natural gas in remote offshore locations, possibly including the arctic. The first FLNG facility will be 488 m from bow to stern! Offshore to the future!
BOE: Lots of posturing and not much in the way of meaningful proposals from either party. Unlike Australia, the US has not responded to its blowout with necessary legislative action, most notably the establishment of a single offshore safety and pollution prevention regulator.
News: BOP innovation.
BOE: Engineers solve problems when given the opportunity and encouragement. JL Daeschler is busy at the drawing board!
News: Greenland rolls on. despite Greenpeace protests. Cairn Energy has begun a second summer of drilling.
Views: Last summer’s results must have been sufficiently encouraging to justify further exploration.
Views: Last summer’s results must have been sufficiently encouraging to justify further exploration.
News: Hurricane season officially begins tomorrow.
BOE: There has been surprisingly little public discussion about the offshore industry’s preparations. Hopefully, everyone is ready.
BOE: Where is the worldwide commitment from industry and government? This problem can and must be fixed!
PTTEP to drill 2 new wells near Montara
Posted in Uncategorized, tagged Australia, blowouts, Montara, offshore drilling, PTTEP, safety, well control on May 3, 2011| Leave a Comment »
PTTEPAA, through its responsible and proactive response to the Incident has shown its commitment to responsible environmental management.
Comment: Those who read the Montara submissions and closely followed the official inquiry are likely to question this conclusion. Perhaps PTTEP should have emphasized the lessons learned and their commitment to better performance in the future.
Bud's Offshore Energy (BOE) 