Offshore regulator probes into Equinor’s management system for materials, lifting equipment & ops

Norwegian offshore safety regulator, the Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA), has found one irregularity during an audit of Equinor’s management system for materials handling, lifting operations and lifting equipment.

The PSA reported on Wednesday that the audit was carried out from 7 to 11 June 2021. It took into account emergency preparedness and risk management.

The safety watchdog explained that the objective was to monitor the division of responsibilities within Equinor and how the company ensures that the management system for materials handling, lifting operations and lifting equipment complies with regulatory requirements.

The PSA says that the audit covered both operational and technical matters. The safety regulator looked at both implementation and compliance with the requirements across Equinor’s operating units, facilities and projects.

According to the PSA, no improvement points were found during the audit, while only one non-conformity was identified and this was related to regulatory compliance. The PSA asked Equinor to report how the non-conformity would be addressed by 3 December 2021.

The offshore regulator has carried out several audits this year, including the one conducted earlier this week, regarding the Maersk Drilling-owned Maersk Reacher jack-up rig.