The contingency plan (or Emergency Response Plan) outlines the organisational structure and actions to be taken during emergencies at both offshore and onshore facilities. It applies during the operational and construction phases of the different platforms, as well as the submarine pipelines. Emergencies are classified as injuries, pollution, or damage to facilities and should be handled according to HSE standards.
Despite all precautions, unplanned incidents may occur. Therefore, a series of action plans need to be developed to manage and control these contingencies. It outlines the procedures for mobilising personnel and equipment to handle serious emergencies. The company operating the rig must be committed to providing a safe working environment for its employees and minimising the risk of harm or damage to third parties. Each employee should be responsible for performing their duties to avoid endangering themselves, others, or company property. The success of the contingency plan relies on the full, prompt, and willing cooperation of all designated personnel. The goal is to ensure a swift return to safe and normal operations. To achieve this, standard chains of command may be disrupted, and staff may need to adapt to unusual working conditions.
Incidents on offshore oil rigs are classified into three main categories: those involving injury to personnel, damage to facilities, and pollution. Each category demands a different response, involving distinct personnel, tasks, and organisational structures to ensure quick and appropriate action. To streamline response efforts, incidents are further categorised by severity. Minor incidents can be managed using the rig's existing facilities. For injuries, minor incidents include minor cuts or bruises that can be treated with first aid on-site. For damage to facilities, minor incidents involve issues that do not disrupt normal operations or pose significant hazards, such as small fires that can be extinguished with portable fire extinguishers. Major incidents, on the other hand, require additional support and immediate external assistance. In the case of injuries, major incidents encompass situations needing evacuation (see: mobile mustering), fatalities, multiple H2S poisoning cases, personnel overboard, and serious injuries from equipment failure. For facility damage, major incidents include uncontrolled fires, well blow-outs, major structural damage, ruptures of major vessels, evacuations, and significant natural disasters like earthquakes or severe storms.
The classification system ensures that the maximum number of people are notified swiftly, enabling them to take appropriate action. It also acknowledges that an incident may involve multiple categories, prioritising life preservation and injury prevention under the direction of area superintendents.
The Site Center is crucial for managing emergencies on offshore oil rigs, with specific personnel and equipment designated by the Site Director based on the incident's evaluation. It is strategically located close to the incident site, ensuring safety and practicality. It operates continuously, 24 hours a day, until the situation is resolved and normal operations can resume. The primary responsibilities include assessing the incident on-site, making immediate evaluations to resolve the issue with minimal risk to personnel, equipment, and the environment, and planning and managing on-site activities. This includes determining the extent and type of support required, prioritising these needs, and gathering and communicating incident data to the Coordination Center to minimise unnecessary communication. The Site Director holds full authority during a major incident, implementing the contingency plan immediately upon assessing the incident's data. They are responsible for directing all efforts to minimise risks and resolve the incident quickly and safely. The Site Director can order any necessary equipment or specialised personnel, communicate all relevant data to the Coordination Director, and determine when the major incident has ended, thus restoring normal authority lines. They also assist in investigating the incident to prepare reports and recommend future actions to prevent recurrence. If the Site Director is incapacitated, the Coordination Director can replace them with the Managing Director's agreement.
During office hours, if an injury occurs offshore, the injured person's (IP) supervisor ensures they receive first aid and informs the department superintendent, Plant Manager, and Safety Department. The supervisor contacts the Guard House, providing details to facilitate better handling of the incident. A boat is dispatched to transport the injured person, and an ambulance is sent to the port to receive them. Outside office hours, the shift supervisor ensures first aid is administered and contacts the Guard House, providing necessary information. The Guard House then arranges for a boat and an ambulance at the port. Additionally, the shift supervisor notifies the Guard House to call the Emergency Response Team and the company doctor. On construction sites, the IP's supervisor ensures they receive first aid and informs the Project Manager, Plant Manager, and HSE Manager. The Guard House is then asked to arrange transportation for the injured person and to call the Emergency Response Team and the company doctor.
Helicopter evacuation is considered more hazardous, especially in bad weather or at night. If needed, vital information about weather conditions is provided to the Administration Services Manager, who then contacts the hospital for a medivac. Authorisation for state helicopter or ambulance use must come from a public-service doctor. In extreme emergencies, requests can be made by the Prefect, Police, or Military Authorities. Before landing, the helicopter pad must be cleared of obstacles to ensure safe landing and take-off.
For incidents involving a person overboard, personnel working over the sea must wear life jackets and safety harnesses and have a rope minder nearby. If someone falls overboard, alarms are raised, and assistance is provided, including throwing a life ring. The platform supervisor or boat captain calls other nearby vessels to assist. If unnoticed initially, the Offshore Superintendent or boat captain initiates a search, and the Guard House is contacted for additional assistance. Recovered individuals are transported to Kavala Hospital for examination and treatment.
In cases of severe injury, it is essential to continue all resuscitation efforts until the victim reaches the hospital, where a licensed medical doctor will officially determine death. Once death is confirmed, the Administration and Finance Services Manager will inform the relevant authorities and the victim's next of kin. If feasible, a friend or relative will also be notified to offer support to the family. The Managing Director will be updated as well. The Area Superintendent or Project Engineer notifies the Area Manager, Project Manager, and HSE Manager, and they will all go to the accident scene to start the investigation. Any safety equipment or personal protective gear the victim used during the incident will be sealed for examination. Equipment or machinery involved in the accident will remain shut down until inspected by a qualified person. The Area Superintendent or Project Engineer will receive ongoing updates and decide on any additional assistance required and the necessary level of emergency mobilisation. If the incident involves other factors like pollution or damage, major incident procedures will be followed until normal operations can resume.
An emergency situation on an offshore platform can involve hydrogen sulfide leakage, explosion, fire, multiple injuries, or personnel falling overboard. In such events, personnel are instructed to gather at the main or an alternative safe briefing area and await further instructions regarding abandonment. The shift supervisor initiates the emergency alarm, which consists of repeated pulse sounds through the public address system or three blasts of ten seconds each with pauses in between, followed by a continuous twenty-second blast.
In the case of a fire on the platform, the shift supervisor will sound the alarm as described. Personnel not directly involved in firefighting and not in the immediate danger area must assemble at the muster area. Those working near the fire must prioritise their personal safety and, if possible, assist in firefighting efforts. Any ongoing maintenance work in the fire area must cease immediately, with all equipment turned off or removed from the hazardous zone. Radio communications must be limited to keep channels open for emergency use.
Emergency response training and drills are two most important aspects of the complete emergency response plan, which must not be left out if one desires that the emergency response plan be effective. Training and drills prepare personnel for the occurrence of such situations in real life by familiarizing them with emergency procedures and equipment used at the time of emergency response. Drills conducted on regular intervals ensure that every member of the team knows his position in the chain of command and can execute it efficiently under stress. Such drills help in locating loopholes or gaps within an emergency preparedness plan, ensuring timely update and improvement. Real-time training exercises based on various emergency situations-fire outbreaks, oil spills, or evacuations-offer valuable work experience that is irretrievable at the time of a real emergency. The drills also ensure the instillation of a safety culture and the preparedness mindset, putting into perspective the responsibility of being watchful in such high-risk environments as an offshore rig. Such exercises, on other hand, allow for better coordination with external agencies so that there is seamless integration with such agencies when their support is needed from outside. It can also allow for adaptations to be made to quicker response times and reduced major risks to personnel and the environment, should an incident occur, by keeping fresh an offshore operation's emergency response plan through frequent exercises. Continuous training and periodic simulation are, therefore, indispensable in guaranteeing safety and the resilience of offshore operations.
Why Emergency Response Plan is needed?
An emergency response plan is essential for offshore oil rigs due to the high-risk nature of their operations and environments. It ensures the safety of personnel by outlining clear procedures for emergencies such as fires, explosions, and personnel overboard incidents, thereby reducing the risk of injury or death. Additionally, it includes protocols for containing and mitigating environmental damage, such as oil spills, which can have severe consequences for marine ecosystems. These plans also ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, as many countries mandate comprehensive emergency preparedness to prevent and manage potential disasters. By having a detailed and practiced emergency response plan, offshore operations can effectively protect human lives, minimise environmental impacts, and adhere to legal standards, ultimately promoting safer and more sustainable drilling practices.
"There's always the risk of a catastrophic event like the Deepwater Horizon spill," stated Chris Eaton, a senior attorney with Earthjustice. "Ensuring that ongoing oil and gas development is conducted safely is crucial." Having an offshore emergency response plan is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures personnel safety by providing clear procedures for handling emergencies such as fires, explosions, and personnel overboard incidents. This preparedness can significantly reduce the risk of injury or death during such events. Secondly, it protects the environment by including protocols for containing and mitigating environmental damage, such as oil spills, which can devastate marine ecosystems. Effective emergency response plans help minimise these impacts and facilitate swiftly restoring affected areas. Additionally, having such a plan is often a regulatory requirement. Many countries have strict regulations governing offshore oil and gas operations, and compliance with these regulations typically necessitates having a comprehensive emergency response plan in place. This ensures legal compliance and promotes best practices in safety and environmental protection. Overall, an emergency response plan is essential for safeguarding human lives, protecting the environment, and maintaining regulatory compliance.
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(1) https://www.energean.com/media/1061/eisa-annex-13-contingency-plan.pdf
Note: This article was updated on the 1st of October 2024