Wednesday 21 April 2010

Oil & Gas UK Comment on Offshore Helicopter Flight Situation

Oil & Gas UK can confirm that helicopter flights transferring workers to and from UK offshore oil and gas installations resumed this morning (21 April) across the majority of the UK continental shelf. However, the helicopter operating companies are continuing to monitor Met Office reports concerning the path of volcanic ash clouds and as new information becomes available throughout the day, they will revise their flight plans and will suspend operations if atmospheric conditions oblige them to do so. 

 

Malcolm Webb, chief executive of Oil & Gas UK, said: “The safety of the industry’s offshore workforce and helicopter crews must come first and we will fly only when the helicopter operators say that it is safe to do so.  However, this is a changing situation and should helicopters not be able to fly, we need to find alternative ways to bring workers home and send new crews offshore to replace them.”

 

The industry plans to use vessels to transfer workers to and from its oil and gas installations. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency, on Oil & Gas UK’s request, has lifted restrictions on the number of passengers that are allowed to be carried on board cargo vessels. Under normal circumstances, only up to 12 persons would be allowed as ‘passengers’ on a cargo vessel, even if the vessel’s capacity itself allows for more. However, in this extremely rare and unusual combination of circumstances, to help allow the timely deployment and relief of offshore staff, the MCA has agreed to grant an exemption to this rule.

 

Transfers from offshore installations will be done in accordance with HSE guidance to ensure the safety of all on board. Appropriate risk assessments will be carried out in all cases.

 

Malcolm Webb said: “We thank the MCA for their understanding and assistance in this matter. The wellbeing and safety of our offshore personnel is of paramount importance.  Our members have already started taking action and have transferred a number of workers by boat; however with the assistance from the MCA, we are now able to do this much more efficiently and this should allow more workers to get back onshore.”

 

Oil & Gas UK is liaising closely with its members to monitor progress in boat transfer and to facilitate the sharing of boats by operators should this be required. A workgroup has also been formed to address issues faced by those installations that cannot transfer people by boat.

 

Malcolm Webb and Oil & Gas UK Safety Director, Robert Paterson, are available for comment after the Oil & Gas Industry Safety Awards which are being held in Aberdeen today. 

 

Please contact Sally Fraser on 020 7802 2404 to arrange interviews.

 

Ends