Norway’s Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) found several irregularities on Repsol’s Gyda facility off Norway, during an audit of electrical installations, safety instrumented systems and maintenance management, from 25 May to 1 June 2018.
In many areas, PSA noted, the main impression was positive. Repsol appeared to be focused on working on problems within the remit of the audit. It was possible to point to a number of resilience measures implemented in recent years.
We also gained a positive impression of how the company has arranged the role of “responsible person for electrical facilities” and its associated delegations. Responsibilities, roles and authorities connected with electrical installations appeared clearly defined.
Repsol is in a phase in which the Gyda facility is being prepared for well plugging and removal. It was noted that the company is working actively on improvements to the drilling facility.
The audit detected non-conformities linked to ignition source control, electrical installations, and work in and operation of electrical facilities. There were also improvement points linked to emergency lighting, fire and gas detection, maintenance management and barrier management.
Due to deficiencies in ignition source decoupling and the uncertainty this represented for the safety instrumented systems, Repsol immediately introduced compensatory measures. This included the company shutting down production pending further investigations and improvements. It is our impression that the company acted in a positive way based on detected deficiencies.
Repsol should report on how the non-conformities will be addressed by 27 August 2018.