Our Arctic Neighbors: High standards goal for Barents Sea projects

Norwegian government has initiated expert meetings with the Russians to harmonize industry standards for offshore Arctic region

Sarah Hurst

For Petroleum News

Representatives of the Russian and Norwegian governments and the countries’ oil companies met in late June and early July to hear and discuss a status report from risk management company Det Norske Veritas about the Barents 2020 project, which focuses on the safety aspects of petroleum activities in the High North. The project is in its third and final phase, and final results and suggestions from the participating expert groups will be presented at a conference in Moscow in December 2009.

In 2007 Norway’s minister of foreign affairs, Jonas Gahr Store, initiated a Russia-Norway cooperation project with the aim of harmonizing industry standards for health, safety and the environment for the Barents Sea, with the objective of establishing a level of safety in the Barents Sea similar to or even higher than the safety level in the North Sea. The project is part of Barents 2020, a central element in the Norwegian government’s strategy on the High North, Det Norske Veritas said in a release July 2.

“The cross-border cooperation between Russian and Norwegian experts on safeguarding petroleum activities in the Barents Sea has been very positive,” said Det Norske Veritas’ president and CEO, Henrik O. Madsen. “Both parties bring unique experiences and know-how to the table. Both have something to learn from the other. And both parties will benefit from the outcome. These are important factors in any success, and we have high expectations for the final results.”

Seven topics have been selected for further work by the expert groups this year, Det Norske Veritas’ Erling Saebo said at a seminar in Tromso in April.

The first topic is to recommend the basic list of internationally recognized standards for use in the Barents Sea. The remaining topics are to recommend standards for design of stationary offshore units against ice loads; for risk management of major hazards, such as fires, explosions and blowouts on offshore drilling, production and storage units; for evacuation and rescue of people from ships and offshore units, including standards for rescue equipment; for working environment and safety related to human performance and decision making; for loading, unloading and ship transportation of oil; and for operational emissions and discharges to air and water.