This series of messages is aimed at keeping you informed of the operations of NOPSA. Please let us know if you would like to be added to the distribution list

PERSONNEL:

· We welcome Tilda Lupton as Human Resource Management Officer.  Tilda comes to NOPSA having worked in the oil & gas industry, with the Inspector Development & Training unit at WorkSafe in Perth, as a Human Resources Manager and Lecturer in TAFE colleges, and with expertise in nationally recognised competency based training.  Tilda has a Bachelor of Teaching (Further Education & Training), a Master of Business Administration (General Management) and is shortly commencing a Doctorate in Business Administration.”

· Peter Wilkinson is leaving DITR after 4 years in the post of Project Manager of the NOPSA Implementation team.  We thank Peter for his invaluable and lasting contribution to the development and establishment of NOPSA and the consistent national framework for the regulation of health and safety at offshore petroleum operations.

· APPEA:  Barry Jones is retiring in mid-July as Executive Director of the Association.  Barry has been a high-profile representative for the oil and gas industry in Australia for more than 8 years.  We wish him all the best for the future. 

 

INDUSTRY MATTERS:

· HSR Issues:  Training:  14 organisations have expressed an interest in providing HSR training covering all locations for the offshore industry with the exception of Karratha.  Of the 14 organisations who expressed an interest in providing HSR training, only seven provided submissions:  5 from WA, 1 from Victoria, 1 National organisation.  Assessment has commenced and accreditation is expected by early August.

· HSR Nomination:  There has been some confusion regarding a perceived need for people to receive training before they could be HSRs.  This is NOT the case.  (See “The Legislative Requirement”).  Once a person is an HSR, training is required.

· There has also been confusion regarding the HSR nomination process and a perceived role of NOPSA.  HSR nomination is by the designated work group, either through uncontested nomination or a process of election if there are several candidates.  This is a process for the members of the designated work group.  Neither the Operator nor NOPSA have a role in this nomination process.

 

LEGISLATION:

· Disapplication of Victorian OHS 2004 Law that would have otherwise applied offshore.

 

NOPSA WEBSITE: 

· New guidelines available on the NOPSA website cover the following topics:

à Construction Safety Case - amplification of guidance currently contained in Safety Case Guidelines.

à Vessels working on an existing pipeline that may be facilities and hence included in the regulatory regime.

à Crane driver competency assurance.

à Pipeline Safety Management Plans (in July).

 

STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS:

· NOPSA gave a presentation to the Seacare Authority’s WA industry Briefing and subsequently  met with representatives of their Board to discuss areas of mutual interest, including HSR training.

· NOPSA presented to the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) at Joondalup on 9 June 2005.  Many issues were raised including the status of construction and pipelay vessels in the regulatory regime.  Dialogue with industry has informed the development of NOPSA guidance on Construction Safety Cases and Vessels that may be Facilities. A copy of the presentation is available on NOPSA’s website.  Following the meeting NOPSA is receiving Safety Case submissions from Operators of vessels that are facilities and considering requests for exemption using the guidance referred to above.

· A programme of consultation with operators regarding Duties of Care and on Workplace Arrangement has commenced.  These presentations will be available on the NOPSA website in July.

· NOPSA participated in the recent APPEA Security Taskforce meeting in Perth.  The regular NOPSA/DoIR liaison meeting was held.  Issues discussed included:

à Progress of WA legislation:  The Uniform Legislation Committee of the WA Upper House has completed its deliberations on the WA Petroleum Amendment & Repeal Bill 2005 and issued a report which is on the Parliamentary website.

à Clarifying roles, responsibilities and resourcing for pipeline regulatory processes and their administration to ensure a consistent and timely response to industry proposals by the appropriate regulatory agencies.

· Continuing NOPSA/DA liaison was maintained by telecon with relevant DAs.  Various topics were discussed which included:

à Transfer of roles and responsibilities within DAs:  safety responsibilities from DoIR to DoCEP, consolidation of safety-related energy issues from Victoria DPI to a new EnergySafe Authority.

à Pipelines traversing a number of jurisdictions, including on-shore interfaces.

à Revocation of the Schedule of Specific Requirements as to Offshore Petroleum Exploration & Production.

· A NOPSA team leader attended the International Association Drilling Contractors (IADC) Conference in Rome, Italy, and also met with other national regulators.

· NOPSA shared their experience of the safety case regime with senior representatives of the WA mining companies in relation to the proposed changes to onshore mining safety regulation.

· The CEO met with the Secretary of  UnionsWA and the Branch Secretary of the Australian Workers’ Union, West Australian Branch.

 

NOPSA BOARD:

· The NOPSA Board held its third meeting in Melbourne on 15 June 2005.   The key items covered, in addition to the CEO's operational and corporate report, were the framework for measuring NOPSA and industry performance, the Board and NOPSA’s Annual Report and NOPSA’s Safety Case Assessment core process.  The Board also considered its communication program and ways of engaging the workforce.   While in Melbourne, members of the Board took the opportunity to meet with The Hon Theo Theophanous and representatives from the Trade Unions.  The next Board meeting is to be held in Perth on 7-8 September 2005.  

· Additional information on the Board’s role and its members can be found on the NOPSA website.

 

MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING:

· NOPSA continues to develop memoranda of understanding (MOU) with relevant stakeholders.  MOUs most recently signed have been with Workcover Victoria & EnergySafe.  

 

INCIDENTS & COMPLAINTS:

· A well incident was reported.  Influx of reservoir fluids into wellbore, (“kick”).  This was reported to the DA, and we are monitoring the situation.

· A complaint was received regarding the quality of air in breathing apparatus.  Subsequent testing revealed presence of  lube oil from the compressor entrained in the air.  This finding led to a significant upgrade in equipment, and a process of continuous monitoring of breathing air quality.

· We note the recent ditching of a helicopter offshore Malaysia and the reported significant contribution of HUET competency to the successful escape of all 13 passengers and crew.

 

EMERGING ISSUES:

· Suitability of personnel transfer systems, eg “Billy Pugh” and newer-type systems, eg “FROG”.

· Long term use of scaffolding as “permanent” structures.

· Derating of lifeboat/TEMPSC to reflect the increase in weight of the “standard” IMO person from 75 kg.  This has led some operators to review lifeboat capacities from their nameplate capacity.

 

JOHN CLEGG

Chief Executive Officer

NOPSA