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 have recently conducted another round of interviews for OHS inspector positions and are about to make offers to five successful candidates.

 

· NOPSA welcomes Mike Clarke who joined us on 17^th October from Coogee Resources where he was the HSE Lead for two FPSOs and drilling campaigns in the Timor Sea.  Previous roles have covered diving, construction, asset integrity, inspection, project management, business development, training & facilitation.

 

· Our new Human Resource Management Consultant, Glenn Miller, commenced with us on 24^th October.  Glenn has a double major degree in human resources and industrial relations and an extensive background in HR and IR in both the public and private sectors.  Additionally, he has experience in the oil & gas sector and understands many of the challenges that NOPSA faces.  We welcome Glenn to the NOPSA team.

 

· Garth Rodger has joined us on a traineeship programme as a part-time office assistant.  Garth will be working principally in the finance and information management areas of the Authority.

 

REGULATORY ACTIVITIES

Safety Case Assessment

· Eight (8) Safety Cases  have been assessed this month, with a remaining thirteen (13) Safety Cases and two (2) Pipeline Safety Management Plans in progress at the end of this period.

 

· We have noted a number of recent safety case submissions involving DP vessels.  There were three failures of DP systems during the month.  This will be an area of interest during our assessment and inspection activities.

 

· Operators are reminded that all activities need to be addressed in the safety case, including well-related activities such as construction, maintenance and testing activities.

 

· Problems continue with safety cases arriving too late for the 30/90-day regulatory timeframe.

 

Inspections

· Five (5) offshore inspections were conducted this month.

 

· Recent inspections have highlighted problems with incompletely implemented planned maintenance systems and associated maintenance backlogs.

 

· Perth-based diving inspector visited Victoria to conduct 2 inspections in conjunction with a Melbourne-based OHS inspector.

 

Incidents & Complaints:

· NOPSA has investigated ten (10) incidents and one (1) complaint during October.  Five (5) injuries were reported including a person being struck by a drilling spool during a lift, and another losing part of his finger while conducting pre-commissioning checks for a new separator.

 

· NOPSA has followed up a complaint regarding safe access to diving bells, particularly the sizing of bell manways.

 

Enforcement

· No enforcement actions have been  taken this month.

 

EMERGING ISSUES:

· Minimum safe manning levels for emergency response capability continues to be an issue with a number of operators.

 

INDUSTRY MATTERS:

· The first annual meeting between NOPSA and industry representatives, required under Regulation 52, to present a financial report on cost effectiveness, has been scheduled for Perth on 18 November 2005.

 

· Simon Schubach recently gave a presentation to the Chamber of Minerals and Energy (WA) on the role of the regulator in a safety case regime

 

· NOPSA Workshop – 18 November 2005.  The workshop will cover NOPSA’s Enforcement Management Model, National Programmes for Lifting and Facility Integrity, and Validation.  A detailed invitation is available from our website.  Seating is limited at both Perth & Melbourne venues, and early registration is recommended.  RSVP to Krysten Farrar

 

STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS:

· We continue to work with DITR and HSR representatives on the HSR Forum planned for late February 2006 in Perth.

 

· A meeting has been held between NOPSA, APPEA, DITR and IADC to establish the programme for the Petroleum Safety Conference to be held in Perth in March 2006.

 

· The CEO and Ray Wells met with representatives of the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines to discuss matters relating to the offshore sections of the proposed PNG gas pipeline.

 

· We are progressing an MOU with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and an MOU with the Office of Transport Security, Department of Transport and Regional Services, relating to the extension of security provisions to offshore petroleum facilities.

 

WORKFORCE:

· NOPSA is pleased to note that David Healy, an HSR in Bass Strait, is a finalist in the WorkSafe Victoria HSR of the Year award.

 

NOPSA WEBSITE:

· NOPSA has placed the register of Diving Safety Management Systems and Diving Project Plans on its website.  The website section providing advice and guidelines for HSR’s has been updated, including a current list of HSR training providers.

 

NOPSA ANNUAL REPORT:

· The NOPSA Annual Report 2004-05 has been tabled in Parliament, and distributed to relevant stakeholders and is now available on the NOPSA website. 

· The Corporate Plan will be presented for the Minister’s approval shortly.

 

VISITS:

· During the month, NOPSA team members visited Bristow Helicopters Australia Pty Ltd to familiarise themselves with their facilities and matters relating to helicopter operations.  NOPSA thanks Bristow Helicopters for the invitation.

 

INTERNATIONAL:

· We note the recent $US 21M fine levied on BP for the Texas City refinery fire. 

· The serious damage to many facilities in the Gulf of Mexico by the recent series of hurricanes is a timely reminder of the need for operators to prepare for the forthcoming Australian cyclone season.

 

NOPSA BOARD:

· The NOPSA Board will meet in Perth on 23 & 24 November 2005.

 

 

 

Past issues of this newsletter are available from the NOPSA website at:

http://www.nopsa.gov.au/CEO_emails/