REGULATIONS RELATING TO DESIGN AND OUTFITTING OF
FACILITIES ETC. IN THE PETROLEUM ACTIVITIES
(THE FACILITIES REGULATIONS)
Petroleum Safety Authority
Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT)
Norwegian Social and Health Directorate (NSHD)
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTORY
PROVISIONS
Section 2 Systems and other equipment for manned
underwater operations from vessels
Section 3 Choice of development concept
Section 4 Design of facilities
Section 5 Design of simpler facilities without
overnight stay possibility
Section 6 Main safety functions
CHAPTER III MULTIDISCIPLINARY PROVISIONS
III-I MULTIDISCIPLINARY COMMON REQUIREMENTS
Section 8 Qualification and use of new technology and
new methods
Section 9 Plants, systems and equipment
Section 10 Loads, load effects and resistance
Section 12 Handling of materials and transport routes,
access and evacuation routes
Section 13 Ventilation and indoor climate
Section 14 Chemicals and chemical exposure
Section 15 Flammable and explosive goods
Section 16 Instrumentation for monitoring and recording
Section 17 Systems for internal and external
communication
Section 18 Communication equipment
III-II DESIGN OF WORK AREAS AND ACCOMMODATION SPACES
Section 20 Man-machine interface and information
presentation
Section 22 Noise and acoustics
Section 26 Equipment for transportation of personnel
Section 28 Passive fire protection
Section 30 Fire divisions in living quarters
Section 31 Fire and gas detection systems
Section 32 Emergency shutdown systems
Section 33 Process safety systems
Section 34 Gas release systems
Section 36 Fixed fire-fighting systems
Section 37 Emergency power and emergency lighting
Section 39 Open drainage systems
Section 40 Equipment for rescue of personnel
Section 41 Material for action against acute pollution
Section 43 Means of evacuation
Section 44 Survival suits and life jackets etc.
Section 45 Manual fire-fighting and fireman's equipment
III-V ELECTRICAL
INSTALLATIONS
Section 46 Electrical installations
CHAPTER IV SPECIFIC
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
IV-I DRILLING AND
WELL SYSTEMS
Section 48 Well control equipment
Section 49 Compensator and disconnection systems
Section 50 Drilling fluid system
Section 52 Casings and anchoring of wells
Section 53 Equipment for completion and controlled well
flow
Section 54 Christmas tree and well head
Section 55 Remote operation of pipes and work strings
IV-III MAIN LOAD BEARING STRUCTURES AND PIPELINE
SYSTEMS
Section 57 Main load bearing structures
Section 62 Supply of food and drinking water
Section 64 Anchoring, mooring and positioning
Section 66 Systems and equipment for manned underwater
operations
IV-VII OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
Section 67 Loading and discharging facilities
Section 70 Lifting appliances and lifting gear
Section 72 Marking of facilities
Section 73 Marking of equipment and cargo
CHAPTER V IMPLEMENTATION OF EEA LAW
Section 75 Simple pressure vessels
Section 76 Personal protective equipment
Section 81 Pressure equipment not comprised by the
Facilities Regulations
Section 82 Machinery and safety components not comprised
by the Facilities Regulations
Regulations relating to design and outfitting of facilities etc. in the
petroleum activities (The Facilities
Regulations). Issued by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate 3 September 2001 pursuant to Act 29 November
1996 No. 72 relating to petroleum activities Section 10-18, Act 4 February 1977
No. 4 relating to worker protection and working environment etc., Section 2
subsection 3 first to fourth paragrahps inclusive and Section 9 subsection
2, and Regulations 31 August 2001
relating to health, environment and safety in the petroleum activities, Section
25 and Section 57 first paragraph litera c. Issued by the Norwegian Pollution
Control Authority 3 September 2001 pursuant to Act 13 March 1981 no 6 relating to protection
against pollution and relating to waste, Sections 9 and 40, and Regulations 31
August 2001 relating to health, environment and safety in the petroleum
activities, Section 57 first paragraph litera c. Issued by the Norwegian Board
of Health 3 September 2001 pursuant to Act 2 July 1999 No. 64 relating to
health personnel, Section 16 second paragraph and Section 76 last paragraph,
Act 5 August 1994 No. 55 relating to control of communicable diseases Section
1-2 third paragraph and Section 8-4, and Regulations 31 August 2001 relating to
health, environment and safety in the petroleum activities, Section 57 first
paragraph litera c. Amended 10 December 2001. Amended 16 December 2002. Amended 17 December 2003. Amended 21 December 2004. Amended 22 December
2005. Amended 12 February 2007. Amended 20 December 2007. Amended 1 October
2009. Last amended 16 December 2009.
CHAPTER
I
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS
Section 1
Definitions
For
the purpose of these regulations the following definitions shall apply:
Class A fire
division
A
division made of non-combustible materials fulfilling the following criteria:
a) it shall be sufficiently braced
b) it shall prevent the propagation of flames
and smoke for a minimum of one hour of the standardised fire test,
c) it is designed so that the average
temperature and the temperature at any single point on the unexposed side does
not exceed 140 degrees C and 180 degrees C respectively above the initial
temperature within the time limits stated below:
- Class A-60: 60 minutes,
- Class A-30: 30 minutes,
- Class A-15: 15 minutes,
- Class A- 0: 0 minutes,
d) insulation materials, if any, shall be fire
tested at an institution which is internationally or nationally recognised in
the specific technical field
Class B fire
division
A
division made of non-combustible materials fulfilling the following criteria:
a) it
shall prevent the propagation of flames for a minimum of one half hour of the
standardised fire test,
b) it is designed so that the average
temperature on the unexposed side does not exceed 140 degrees C above the
initial temperature. Furthermore the temperature shall not at any single point
exceed 225 degrees C above the initial temperature within the time limits
stated below:
- Class B-30: 30 minutes
- Class B-15: 15 minutes
- Class B- 0: 0 minutes
Class
H fire divisions
A division
made of non-combustible materials fulfilling the following criteria:
a) it
shall be sufficiently braced,
b) it shall prevent the propagation of flames
and smoke for a minimum of two hours of the standardised fire test,
c) it is designed so that the average
temperature and the temperature at any single point on the unexposed side does
not exceed 140 degrees C and 180 degrees C respectively above the initial
temperature within the time limits stated below:
- Class H- 120: 120 minutes,
- Class H-60: 60 minutes,
- Class H-0: 0 minutes,
d) insulation materials, if any, shall be fire
tested at an institution which is internationally or nationally recognised in
the specific technical field
Loadbearing
structures:
Those parts of
the facility for which the main purpose is transfer of loads
Design load:
Characteristic
load multiplied by load coefficients.
Dimensioning
accidental load:
Accidental load
that the facility or a function shall be able to withstand during a required
period of time.
Dynamic positioning
system (DP-system):
A system where power supply, thruster system and control system are
assembled and can be operated so that a fixed position is maintained
automatically.
Simpler facilities with overnight stay possibility
Facilities which are normally unmanned, and which are
equipped with emergency quarters.
Simpler facilities without overnight stay possibility
Facilities without accommodation possibilities and
helicopter deck, and which
a) are only
manned in connection with maintenance,
b) are only
manned in daylight and in satisfactory weather conditions so that personnel can
leave the facility safely after completed work,
c) are not
included as a part of an integrated development concept or do not constitute a
danger to other facilities in the area or otherwise affect the operation of
other facilities in an unacceptable way.
Anchoring
system
Anchoring system of a catenarian
construction or a combination of a thruster system and catenary anchoring
system
Functional loads
Loads which are
caused by physical existence, use and treatment of the facility.
High pressure and
high temperature wells (HPHT wells)
Wells having an
expected shut-in wellhead pressure greater than 69 MPa (690 bar), or a
temperature exceeding 150 C.
Lifting appliance
Combined unit used for hoisting and lowering of cargo, with or without
horizontal movement.
Lifting gear:
Components
or equipment used between the lifting appliance and the cargo or on the cargo
to grip it, and which is not an integrated part of the lifting appliance.
Environmental loads
Loads caused by natural conditions.
Permanently manned facilities:
Facilities that are continuously manned, or which are incorporated as a
part of an integrated development concept with bridge connections.
Safety system:
A system which realises one or more active safety functions.
Safety functions
Physical measures which reduce the probability of a situation of hazard
and accident occurring, or which limit the consequences of an accident.
Pipeline systems:
Subsea pipelines and risers which transport hydrocarbons and other
media, with associated safety systems, valves, locks, corrosion protection
systems and other equipment.
Accidental loads:
Loads which the facility can be subjected to when incorrectly used, in
the event of technical failure or an undesirable external effect.
Section 2
Systems and other equipment for manned underwater operations from vessels
Requirements to facilities in these regulations also
apply to systems and equipment necessary to carry out manned
underwater operations from vessels.
CHAPTER
II
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 3
Choice of development concept
In choosing a development concept the following shall be taken into
consideration:
a) major accident risk,
b) form of operation,
c) risk of pollution,
d) geographic location,
e) location conditions,
f) reservoir properties,
g) requirements to regularity,
h) life time,
i) subsequent removal, if any,
j) need for development of new
technology.
Section 4
Design of facilities
Facilities shall be based on robust and the simplest possible solutions
and shall be designed so that
a) they can withstand loads as
mentioned in Section 10 on loads, load effects and resistance,
b) the major accident risk becomes
as low as practically possible,
c) failure of a component, a
system or one single mistake does not lead to unacceptable consequences,
d) the main safety functions, as
mentioned in Section 6 on main safety functions, are maintained,
e) transport and handling of materials
can take place efficiently and safely, cf. Section 12 on handling of materials and
transport routes, access and evacuation routes,
f) provision is made for a sound
working environment, cf. Chapter
III-II on design of work areas and accommodation
spaces,
g) operational prerequisites and
limitations are duly complied with,
h) there are adequate provisions
in place to ensure health and hygiene on board,
i) provision is made for the
lowest possible risk of pollution,
j) provision is made for fully
satisfactory maintenance.
Measures to protect facilities
against fire and explosion shall be based on a strategy.
The areas on the facility shall
be classified in such way that design and location of areas and equipment contribute to reducing the risk related to fire
and explosion.
Areas where personnel are
staying, or where equipment of significance to
safety is placed, shall not be within reach of waves with an annual probability
greater than 1x10-2.
Section 5
Design of simpler facilities without overnight stay possibility
Simpler facilities without overnight stay possibility shall be designed
to accommodate the requirements to acceptable risk, cf. the Management Regulations
Section 6 on acceptance criteria for major accident risk
and environmental risk. Provision shall also be made for sound working
environment and satisfactory hygienic conditions during stays on the facility.
Where these regulations describe
specific solutions, simpler solutions may be chosen for such facilities than
those given here, if it can be demonstrated through specific assessments that
this is justifiable.
Correspondingly, simpler
solutions may be considered than those recommended in the comments to the
individual provisions contained in these regulations.
Section 6
Main safety functions
The main safety functions shall be defined unambiguously in respect of
each individual facility in order to ensure the safety for personnel and to
limit pollution.
With regard to permanently
manned facilities the following main safety functions shall be maintained in
the event of an accident situation:
a) preventing escalation of
accident situations so that personnel outside the immediate vicinity of the
scene of accident, are not injured,
b) maintaining the main load
carrying capacity in load bearing structures until the facility has been
evacuated,
c) protecting rooms of significance
to combating accidental events, so that they are operative until the facility
has been evacuated, cf. Section 29 on fire divisions,
d) protecting the facility’s safe
areas so that they remain intact until the facility has been evacuated,
e) maintaining at least one
evacuation route from every area where personnel may be staying until
evacuation to the facility’s safe areas and rescue of personnel has been
completed.
Section 7
Safety functions
Facilities shall be equipped with necessary safety functions which at
all times are able to
a) detect abnormal conditions,
b) prevent abnormal conditions
from developing into situations of hazard and accident,
c) limit harm in the event of
accidents.
Requirements to performance
shall be set in respect of safety functions.
The status of safety functions
shall be available in the central control room.
CHAPTER
III
MULTIDISCIPLINARY PROVISIONS
III-I
MULTIDISCIPLINARY COMMON REQUIREMENTS
Section 8
Qualification and use of new technology and new methods
Where the petroleum activities involve use of new technology or new methods, criteria shall be prepared with regard to
development, testing and use in order to fulfil the requirements to health,
environment and safety. The criteria shall be representative of the relevant
operational conditions, and the technology or the methods shall be adapted to
already accepted solutions.
Qualification or testing
shall demonstrate that applicable requirements can be fulfilled by use of the
relevant new technology or new methods.
Section 9
Plants, systems and equipment
Plants, systems and equipment shall have a design which is robust and as
simple as possible, so that
a) the possibility of human
errors or mistakes is limited,
b) they or it can be operated,
tested and maintained without danger to personnel and with the lowest possible
pollution risk,
c) they are or it is suitable for
use and capable of withstanding the loads they or it may be subjected to during
operation.
Plants, systems and equipment
shall be marked in order to provide for safe operation and fully satisfactory
maintenance.
Work equipment
comprised by Sections 2 and 4 of regulations of 26 June 1998 No. 608 relating to use of work equipment, last amended 13 December 2004, shall be designed in accordance with
the provisions contained in said regulations chapters IV, V and VI.
Section 10
Loads, load effects and resistance
The loads that may affect facilities or parts of
facilities, shall be determined. Accidental loads and environmental loads with an annual probability greater than or equal to 1x10-4 shall not cause the loss of a main safety function, cf. Section 6 on main safety functions.
When loads
are determined, the effects of seabed subsidence above or in connection with
the reservoir shall be taken into account.
Functional and environmental loads shall be combined in the most
unfavourable way.
Facilities
or parts of facilities shall be able to withstand the design loads and the
probable combinations of these loads at all times.
Materials to be used in or on facilities shall be
selected with a view to
a) the
requirements to loads as mentioned in Section
10 on loads,
load effects and resistance,
b) manufacturing,
assembling and construction processes,
c) use of
material protection, if any,
d) fire technical
properties,
e) probable
changes in operational conditions,
f) possibilities
for reduction of future use of chemicals and pollution,
g) possibilities
for reduction of, re-use and recycling of waste,
h) the
employees’ health and working environment,
i) possible
future removal.
Section 12
Handling of materials and transport routes, access and evacuation routes
Facilities and transport routes shall be
designed so that handling of materials and personnel traffic can take place
efficiently and safely. Handling of materials shall to the extent possible take
place by means of mechanical systems and technical appliances.
Where the access between two
different levels is used on a daily basis, there shall be a stairway or access
ramp.
Evacuation routes shall be
designed so that all evacuation can take place in a simple, quick and safe way.
From areas with general movement there shall be at least two evacuation routes.
Section 13
Ventilation and indoor climate
Ventilation in indoor and outdoor areas shall satisfy
the need for air change and provide acceptable air quality. The ventilation
shall furthermore be arranged so that smoke from fires can be controlled, and
so that flammable gases cannot penetrate into enclosed unclassified areas.
The indoor
climate shall be adapted to the individual room with regard to air requirement,
draught, humidity and temperature. Indoor air shall be free of pollution
harmful to health.
Section 14
Chemicals and chemical exposure
Technical solutions which prevent harmful chemical exposure to human beings and the environment, and which
reduce the need for use of chemicals, shall be chosen.
When chosing, designing and
locating facilities for storage, use, recycling and
destruction of chemicals, account shall be taken of
a) health and safety of
personnel,
b) corrosion and other forms of
disintegration of materials,
c) fire and explosion hazard,
d) pollution risk.
Regulations of 25 January 2005 No. 47 relating to soluble chromium VI in
cement shall apply to the scope of application of
these regulations.
Section 15
Flammable and explosive goods
The area for
storage of flammable goods and explosives shall be designed to minimise the
consequences of fire and explosion.
Provision
shall be made so that explosives that
may constitute a danger, can easily be handled and removed in the event of a
situation of hazard and accident.
Explosives
shall be secured against unintentional discharge during storage and use.
Section 16
Instrumentation for monitoring and recording
Facilities shall be equipped with the necessary
instrumentation for monitoring and recording of conditions and parameters that
may be of significance in the verification of results from analyses and
calculations and parameters of significance to the integrity of the facility.
Facilities
shall in addition be equipped with instrumentation for recording of
environmental data that may be of significance to the petroleum activities.
Instrumentation for aviation weather service on facilities shall fulfil the
requirements of section 31 in the Civil Aviation Authority’s regulations of 26 October 2007 No. 1181 relating to continental shelf
aviation – commercial air transport to and from helidecks on facilities and
vessels at sea, last amended 28 January 2008, and
of the Civil
Aviation Authority’s regulations 28 January 2008 no. 81 relating to meteorological
services for aviation.
The first
facility of a new type shall have instrumentation for acquisition of data to
verify the calculations. Fixed reference electrodes shall be installed on the
first facility in areas where the corrosive conditions deviate from areas of
past experience.
Section 17
Systems for internal and external communication
Temporarily or permanently manned facilities shall be
equipped with communication systems making internal communication on the
facility, as well as between the facility and ships, aircraft and land,
possible at all times. Furthermore these facilities shall be equipped with
alarm systems capable of alerting the personnel to situations of hazard and
accident at all times. It shall be possible to give the following sound and
light alarms:
a) general
alarm in the form of intermittent audible signals and yellow
flashing light,
b) prepare for evacuation in the form of uninterrupted audible signals and
yellow flashing light:
There shall be established at
least two independent warning routes to shore, preferably by means of permanent
communication systems.
Section 18
Communication equipment
Equipment for external communication shall be chosen on the basis of
operational needs, type of activity and defined situations of hazard and
accident, cf. the Management Regulations Section 15 on
quantitative risk analyses and emergency preparedness analyses.
Communication equipment and
associated power supply shall be designed and protected to remain functional in
the event of situations of hazard and accident.
III-II
DESIGN OF WORK AREAS AND ACCOMMODATION SPACES
Work areas and work equipment shall be designed and
placed in such way that the employees are not subjected to adverse physical or
mental strain as a result of manual handling, work position, repetitive
movements or work intensity etc. that may cause injury or illness.
Workplaces
and work equipment shall also be designed and placed in such way that the
danger of mistakes that may be significant to safety, is reduced.
Workplaces
shall provide for the possibility of individual work positions.
When carrying out work operations from
their normal position and with a good working posture the employees shall have
a view which enables them to make sure that the work can be carried out safely.
Section 20
Man-machine interface and information presentation
Screen-based equipment and other technical equipment
for monitoring, controlling and running machinery, plants or production
processes, shall be designed in such way that the danger of mistakes that may
be significant to safety, is reduced.
Information transmitters and operating
devices shall be designed, placed and grouped to allow simple and quick
reception of necessary information and conduct of necessary actions. The
information presented shall be correct and easily understandable.
In the event of incidents, deviations or failures in systems of
significance to safety, alarms that stand out clearly from other information
shall be given. The alarms shall be given in such way that they can be
perceived and acted on in the period of time required for safe operation of
equipment, plants and processes.
Outdoor
work areas shall have adequate weather protection so that the danger of health complaints and mistakes is
reduced.
Weather protection in outdoor areas shall
be adapted to anticipated periods of stay, the extent and character of the
work, representative weather conditions and risk conditions.
Section 22
Noise and acoustics
Facilities shall be designed so that no employee is
exposed to noise that is harmful to hearing. By noise that is harmful to
hearing is meant a daily noise exposure which in the course of a workshift
exceeds a twelve-hour equivalent sound level of 83 dB(A), or an impulsive sound
level of Lpeak = 130 dB(C).
Requirements
shall be set with regard to noise and acoustics in the individual areas based
on the planned manning and the functions to be provided for in the areas. Noise
level and acoustics shall not obstruct communication which is of significance
to safety. The noise level in cabins, break rooms and recreation rooms shall be
reduced as much as possible to contribute to necessary restitution and rest.
Facilities
shall be designed so that vibrations will not harm personnel staying on the
facility, or will make it difficult for the personnel to carry out important
work tasks. Regulations of 6 July 2005 No. 804
relating to protection against mechanical vibrations, last amended 19 December 2006, shall apply to the scope of application of
these regulations.
Lighting
shall be such that working environment and safety are fully satisfactory in
respect of work, movement and restitution.
Daylight in and view from
work and accommodation spaces shall if possible be provided.
Facilities shall be designed so that exposure to radiation is limited.
Provision shall primarily be
made for technical solutions which reduce the need for use of radioactive
substances. Where radioactive substances nevertheless have to be used,
provision shall be made for safe transport, handling and storage of the
substances.
Section 26
Equipment for transportation of personnel
Equipment for transportation of personnel shall be designed to ensure
the safety of personnel that are carrying out activities above normal working
height, or that are being transported by means of such equipment..
Personnel winches shall be such that spooling can be performed safely and
be secured against uncontrolled unwinding so that users cannot fall freely.
If it cannot be avoided through technical measures or
other arrangements that employees are subjected to risk of accidents or injury,
safety signs shall be installed.
Safety
signs shall be installed at the entrance to rooms and near zones or equipment
where the employees may be subjected to risk of accidents or health injury.
Equipment
for danger limitation, rescue and evacuation, and the access way to this
equipment, shall also be marked with such signs.
Signposting with safety signs comprised by
regulations of 6 October
1994 N. 0972 on safety signposting in the workplace, last amended 30
June 2003, shall be designed in accordance with the provisions of the said
regulations.
III-III
PHYSICAL BARRIERS
Section 28
Passive fire protection
Where passive fire protection is used, it shall be designed so as to
give relevant structures and equipment adequate fire resistance with regard to
load bearing properties, integrity and
insulation properties during a dimensioning fire.
In the design of passive fire
protection, the cooling effect from fire-fighting equipment shall not be taken
into account.
The main areas on facilities shall be separated by fire divisions
capable of resisting the dimensioning fire and explosion loads and shall at
least fulfil fire class
H-0 if they may be exposed to hydrocarbon fires.
Spaces with important functions
and important equipment and spaces with a high fire risk shall be separated
from the surroundings by fire divisions.
Fire divisions shall be
designed to resist dimensioning fire and explosion loads so that the main
safety functions are maintained for a sufficient period of time, but always at
least one hour. Penetrations shall not weaken fire divisions. Doors in fire
divisions shall be of an automatic closing type.
Section 30
Fire divisions in living quarters
Living quarters shall be protected by fire divisions which at least
fulfil fire class
a) H-60 for outer walls facing a
processing or drilling area and which may be exposed to fire from these,
b) A-60 for all other outer
walls,
c) A-0 for outer walls of living
quarters placed on a separate facility at safe distance from production or
drilling facilities, and for outer walls of the emergency quarters of simpler
facilities with overnight stay possibility, if the emergency quarters are
separated from the production or wellhead area with a main fire division
corresponding at least to fire class H-0.
The interior design of living
quarters shall be such that it reduces spreading of fire.
Section 31
Fire and gas detection systems
Facilities shall
have a fire and gas detection system which ensures rapid and reliable detection
of outbreak of fires, fires and gas leakages. The system shall be able to
perform the intended functions independently of other systems.
In fire and gas detection, automatic actions shall limit the consequences of
the fire or gas leakage. Placing of detectors shall be based on relevant
scenarios, simulations and tests.
Section 32
Emergency shutdown systems
Facilities shall have an emergency shutdown system which is able to
prevent situations of hazard and accident from developing and to limit the
consequences of accidents, cf.
Section 7 on safety functions. The system shall be able
to perform the intended functions independently of other systems.
The emergency shutdown system
shall be designed so that it will go to or remain in a safe condition in the
event of a failure which may prevent the functioning of the system. The
emergency shutdown system shall have a simple and unambiguous command
structure. The system shall be capable of being activated manually from release
stations located at strategic places on the facility. It shall be possible to
activate functions manually from the central control room so that the facility
is brought to a safe condition in the event of failure in the programmable
parts of the system.
Emergency shutdown valves
shall be installed which are capable of stopping streams of hydrocarbons and
chemicals to and from the facility, and which isolate the fire areas on the
facility.
Section 33
Process safety systems
Facilities equipped with or connected to a processing plant shall have a
process safety system. The system shall be able to perform the intended functions
independently of other systems.
The process safety system shall be
designed so that it will go to or remain in a safe condition in the event of a
failure which may prevent the functioning of the system.
The process safety system shall be designed
with two independent safety levels for protection of equipment.
Section 34
Gas release systems
Facilities
equipped with or connected to a processing plant shall have a gas release
system.
The system shall
prevent escalation of situations of hazard and accident by rapid reduction of
the pressure in the equipment, and it shall be designed so that release of gas
does not cause injury or harm to personnel or equipment.
The depressurisation shall be possible to
activate manually from the central control room.
Liquid separators installed in the gas
release system shall be secured against overfilling.
All facilities with overnight accommodation possibilities shall have
sufficient fire water supply to fight fires and if necessary to dampen gas
explosions.
Permanently manned facilities
shall have fire water supply from fire pumps or other independent supply so
that there is sufficient capacity at all times, even if parts of the supply are
inoperative. Simpler facilities with overnight accommodation possibility shall
have fire water supply from fire pumps or other equivalently reliable supply.
Simpler facilities without overnight accommodation possibility shall have the
necessary fire water supply to enable protection of the personnel against fires
that may occur when the facility is manned.
The fire water system shall
be designed so that a pressure stroke does not make the system or parts of the
system inoperative.
On facilities where fire
water is supplied from fire pumps, the pumps shall start automatically when
there is a pressure drop in the fire main and when fire detection has been
confirmed. It shall in addition be possible to start fire pumps manually from
the central control room and from the prime mover. The prime mover for fire
pumps shall be equipped with two independent starting arrangements. Automatic
disconnection devices shall be as few as possible.
Fire water piping shall be
designed and located so as to ensure sufficient supply of fire water to every
area on the facility.
Section 36
Fixed fire-fighting systems
Fixed fire-fighting systems shall be installed in hazardous areas and in
other areas representing a major fire risk. The systems shall in addition cover
equipment containing significant quantities of hydrocarbons. The systems shall
be designed so that fire-fighting can take place quickly and efficiently at all
times.
The systems shall be
automatically activated on signal from the fire detection system. In the event
of gas detection the systems shall be automatically activated if this can
entail lower explosion pressure.
In areas where gas is used as
extinguishing medium, warning systems shall be installed which give warning
when gas is released.
Manual activation of fire-fighting systems
shall activate the general alarm of the facility.
Section 37
Emergency power and emergency lighting
Facilities shall have a reliable, robust and simple emergency power
system that will ensure sufficient power supply to equipment
and systems that must function in the event of a main power failure.
In the changeover between
main power and emergency power it shall be ensured that a cutting off does not
entail operational problems to the emergency power consumers.
The emergency power system
shall have as few automatic disconnection devices as possible in order to
ensure continuous operation.
Facilities shall be equipped
with emergency lighting which ensures necessary lighting of the facility if the
main lighting fails.
Mobile facilities shall be equipped with a system capable of ballasting
any ballast tank under normal operational conditions.
In the event of unintentional
flooding of any space adjacent to the sea it shall nevertheless be possible for
ballasting to take place.
Ballasting systems shall be
in accordance with the Norwegian Maritime Directorate’s regulations of 20 December 1991 No.879 concerning ballast systems on
mobile offshore units, last amended 14 March 2008,
Section 2 and Sections
7 to 22 inclusive.
Section 39
Open drainage systems
Facilities
shall be equipped with open drainage systems capable of collecting and drain
off oil and chemicals so that the risk of fire, injury to personnel and
pollution is reduced.
The system shall be designed so that possible discharges of oil
and chemicals will cause as little pollution to the marine environment as
possible, and so that the requirements contained in the Activities Regulations Chapter X-II are fulfilled.
III-IV
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Section 40
Equipment for rescue of personnel
Facilities shall at all times have available equipment
for quick and cautious rescue of personnel who fall into the sea, cf. also the Activities Regulations
Section 68 on handling of situations of hazard and
accident. This equipment shall not subject the
rescue personnel or the personnel to be rescued to unacceptable risk.
Diving facilities shall at
all times have available equipment so that personnel
in diving bells, submerged habitat and submersible crafts can be rescued in an
emergency situation.
Section 41
Material for action against acute pollution
Material for action against acute pollution shall fulfil the
requirements ensuing from the analyses mentioned in the Management Regulations
Section 15 on quantitative risk analyses and emergency
preparedness analyses and Section 16 on environmentally aimed
risk and emergency preparedness analyses.
Facilities shall at all times have access
to material that can be efficiently put to use in an action against acute
pollution, cf. the Framework Regulations
Chapter III on principles relating to health, environment and
safety.
The material shall have been
tested under realistic conditions with regard to functional and operative
qualities and collection efficiency. The material shall be adapted to the
physical and chemical properties of the pollution and to operative conditions
at sea, along the coast and shore.
Weather, wind and current
related efficiency figures shall be determined in respect of different types of
material based on documented and relevant capacity figures.
The need for standby vessels and the requirements relating to the
emergency response function of the vessels shall appear from the analyses
mentioned in Section
15 of the Management Regulations on quantitative risk
analyses and emergency preparedness analyses.
Standby vessels that are part
of the management of and conduct of actions against acute pollution shall be
designed so that they can carry out their functions at sea, near the coast and
in the shore zone.
Section 43
Means of evacuation
It shall be possible to carry out quick and effective evacuation of
personnel on facilities to a safe area in all weather conditions, cf. the Activities Regulations
Section 68 on handling of situations of hazard and
accident litera d.
The choice of means of
evacuation, their placing and protection shall be based on the defined
situations of hazard and accident, cf. the Activities Regulations
Section 64 on establishing emergency preparedness.
As means of evacuation in
respect of evacuation to sea, free-fall lifeboats supplemented by escape chutes
and associated life rafts shall be used.
Separate assessments of the
need for and selection of equipment for hyperbaric evacuation may be carried
out. Hyperbaric evacuation units shall be designed so that they can be towed
and lifted or in other ways be recovered from the water in the weather
conditions relevant for the use of such evacuation units.
Section 44
Survival suits and life jackets etc.
It shall be possible to keep personal survival suits in the cabins. In
addition there shall be placed a number of survival suits and life jackets
within easy reach on the facility, based on the results from the emergency
preparedness analysis mentioned in Section 15 of the Management
Regulations on quantitative risk analyses and emergency
preparedness analyses.
It shall be possible to store
the survival suits and life jackets in such way that the quality is not
deteriorated.
Life buoys shall be placed
within easy reach on the facility.
Section 45
Manual fire-fighting and fireman's equipment
The facility shall be equipped with sufficient manual fire-fighting and
fireman's equipment in order to ensure effective fire-fighting of outbreaks of
fires and to prevent escalation.
III-V
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
Section 46
Electrical installations
Electrical installations shall be designed with safeguards and other
protection so that abnormal conditions and failures that may entail a danger to
the personnel and to the facility are avoided. The installations shall be
designed with sufficient protection against, inter alia
a) electric shock during normal
operation and in the event of failure,
b) thermal effects,
c) overcurrent,
d) fault currents,
e) overvoltage,
f) undervoltage,
g) voltage and frequency
variations,
h) power supply failure,
i) ignition of explosive gas
atmosphere,
j) electromagnetic interference,
k) health injury from
electromagnetic fields.
CHAPTER
IV
SPECIFIC SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
IV-I
DRILLING AND WELL SYSTEMS
Well barriers shall be designed such that the well integrity is ensured
and the barrier functions are working as intended in the lifespan of the well.
Well barriers shall be
designed so that unintentional well influx and outflow to the external
environment is prevented, and so that they do not obstruct well activities.
When a well is temporarily
and permanently abandoned, the barriers shall be designed so as to provide for
well integrity for the longest period of time that the well is expected to be
abandoned, inter alia so that outflow from the well or leakages to the external
environment do not occur.
When a well is plugged, it
shall be possible to cut the casing without harming the surroundings.
Well barriers shall be
designed so that their performance can be verified.
Section 48
Well control equipment
Well control equipment shall be designed and shall be capable of being
activated so as to provide for barrier integrity as well as well control. In
the case of drilling of top hole sections with riser or conductor, equipment with capacity to conduct shallow gas and
formation fluid away from the facility until the personnel has been evacuated
shall be installed.
Floating facilities shall
have an alternative activation system for activating critical functions on the blow out
preventer for use in the event of evacuation.
Floating facilities shall also
have capacity to disconnect the lower marine riser package after the shear ram
has cut the work string.
The pressure control equipment used in
well interventions shall have remote control valves with mechanical locking
devices in closed position. The well intervention equipment shall have a remote
control blind/shear ram as close to the christmas tree as possible.
Section 49
Compensator and disconnection systems
Design of compensator systems shall be based on robust technical
solutions so that failures do not lead to unacceptable consequences, cf. Section 4 on design of
facilities litera c.
Floating facilities shall be
equipped with a disconnection system that secures the well and releases the
riser before a critical angle occurs.
Section 50
Drilling fluid system
The drilling fluid system shall be designed so that it will mix, store,
circulate and clean a sufficient volume of drilling fluid with the necessary
properties to ensure the drilling fluid’s drilling and barrier functions.
The high pressure part of the
drilling fluid system with associated systems shall in addition have capacity
and working pressure to be able to control the well pressure at all times.
The cementing unit shall be designed so that it will mix, store and
deliver exact volume of cement with the necessary properties to ensure fully
satisfactory anchoring and barrier integrity. The unit shall be designed so
that remains of unmixed chemicals as well as ready-mixed cement are handled in
accordance with the principles of the Pollution Control Act.
If the cementing unit with
associated systems is intended to function as backup for the drilling fluid
system, it shall have capacity and working pressure to be able to control the
well pressure at all times.
Section 52
Casings and anchoring of wells
This section no longer applies.
Section 53
Equipment for completion and controlled well flow
Equipment in the well and on the surface shall be designed to handle
controlled well flow, cf. section 11 on materials.
The well flow line and the
annulus shall be equipped with necessary down hole safety valves (SCSSV) and with
necessary equipment to monitor well parameters.
During well
testing it shall at all times be possible to control the well flow through the
work string and the choke manifold.
Section 54
Christmas tree and well head
Christmas trees and well heads shall be designed so as to provide for
prudent production, re-entry, well intervention and well control.
The christmas tree shall have
at least two main valves, and at least one of these shall be of an automatic
type.
Section 55
Remote operation of pipes and work strings
Repealed.
See section 70 on lifting appliances and lifting gear.
IV-II
PRODUCTION PLANTS
Production plants shall be designed so that the use of chemicals and
energy is reduced, and so that the external environment is polluted as little
as possible.
Production plants shall have
a control system which provides a stable regulation of the
plant.
Treatment systems for
produced water shall be designed so that the oil content in each discharge
stream is as low as possible, cf. the Activities Regulations
Section 55 on discharge of oil-contaminated water. The
discharge point for produced water shall be placed so that the discharges will
cause the least possible harm to the marine environment.
If there is a risk of
ignition, the vessels in the system shall be designed so as to prevent air from
entering.
Production plants also
comprise sub sea production plants.
IV-III
MAIN LOAD BEARING STRUCTURES AND PIPELINE SYSTEMS
Section 57
Main load bearing structures
Main load bearing structures shall be designed so that single component
failure or water penetration through outer walls facing the sea cannot lead to
unacceptable consequences.
Section 58
Pipeline systems
Pipeline systems shall be designed so that internal maintenance can be
carried out.
Launchers and receivers for
cleaning and inspection tools (pigs) shall be designed so that they cannot be
opened under pressure.
With regard to flexible
pipeline systems and pipeline systems made of a material other than steel,
usage factors and, if applicable, load and material factors shall be determined
so as to ensure that the safety level for such systems is not lower than that
of pipelines and risers made of steel.
IV-IV
LIVING QUARTERS
Section 59
Living quarters
The layout and capacity of living quarters shall ensure an fully
satisfactory living environment and shall be adapted to the various functions
to be provided for, and the anticipated need for personnel during the various
phases of the petroleum activities.
The living quarters shall be
equipped and furnished in such a manner so as to enable the maintenance of an
adequate standard of hygiene therein.
Emergency quarters on simpler
facilities with overnight accommodation shall be dimensioned to accommodate the
maximum need for personnel. With regard to safety and standard of hygiene, the
same requirements apply to simpler facilities with overnight accommodation as
those applying to living quarters.
Section 60
Health department
Permanently manned facilities shall have a health department. It shall
have the facilities required to enable the health personnel therein to perform
adequately their duties.
Such a health department
shall have the equipment required to provide first aid, and adequate medical
treatment both on the installation and during the transport of patients.
It shall be possible to have
telephone contact between the health department and a medical practitioner
ashore. There shall be permanent means of internal communications between the
health department and the manned control room. Such means of communication
shall be capable of normal function in the event of general power failure.
In the event of power
failure, the health department shall continue to have adequate working light
therein, and at least two emergency power outlets, cf. Section 37 on emergency power and
emergency lighting.
On simpler facilities with
overnight accommodation there shall be an adequately equipped first aid post.
Section 61
Emergency unit
Permanently manned facilities shall have an emergency unit in addition to a health
department.
Treatment capacity of such an emergency
unit shall be commensurate with the defined situations of hazard and accident
as mentioned in the Management Regulations Section 15 on quantitative risk
analyses and emergency preparedness analyses.
The emergency unit shall be equipped in
such a manner so as to provide adequate first aid and medical treatment.
Section 62
Supply of food and drinking water
Water supply of a
facility is subject to the regulations laid down by the
Ministry of Health and Social Affairs.
The relevant facilities, such
as the drinking water supply, shall be so designed that they fulfil the
requirements mentioned in the Activities Regulations Section 11 on
food and drinking water. A facility shall have the necessary means of ensuring
the quality of food and drinking water used on board.
IV-V
MARITIME INSTALLATIONS
Section 63
Stability
Floating facilities shall be in accordance with the requirements
contained in the Norwegian Maritime Directorate’s regulations of 20 December 1991 No. 878 concerning stability, watertight
subdivision and watertight/weathertight closing means on mobile offshore units, last amended 14 March 2008, Sections 8 to 51 inclusive.
There shall
be weight control systems on floating facilities,
which shall ensure that weight, weight distribution and centre of gravity are
within the design assumptions. Equipment and structural parts shall be secured
against displacements that can affect stability.
Section 64
Anchoring, mooring and positioning
Floating facilities
shall have systems to enable them to maintain their position at all times and,
if necessary, be able to move away from the position in the event of a
situation of hazard and accident.
The anchoring system shall be
in accordance with the Norwegian Maritime Directorate’s regulations
of 10 July 2009 No. 998 relating to positioning and anchoring systems on mobile
offshore units (the anchoring regulations 09) Sections 6 to 17 inclusive. Vertical
forces as mentioned in the regulations Section 14 litera i, can be accepted in
respect of some types of anchors, such as pile or suction anchors.
The mooring system shall be in accordance
with the requirements of the Norwegian Maritime Directorate’s regulations of 10 February
1994 No. 123 for mobile offshore units with production plants and equipment, last amended 14
March 2008, Section 35.
Dynamic positioning systems shall be
designed so that the position can be maintained in the event of defined
failures and damage to the system and in case of accidents. Components and
equipment shall be designed so that the total system fulfils the requirements
to a specific equipment class, cf. the Activities Regulations Section 81 on positioning.
Section 65
Turret
Turrets shall be designed so that they are in accordance with the
requirements of the Norwegian Maritime Directorate’s regulations of 10 February 1994 No. 123 for mobile offshore units with
production plants and equipment, last amended 14
March 2008, Section 15 subsections 1 to 4 inclusive.
IV-VI
DIVING SYSTEMS
Section 66
Systems and equipment for manned underwater operations
Diving bells shall have an inside volume of at least
4.5 m3. If the diving
bell is intended for more than two divers, there shall be an additional inside
volume of 1.5 m3 per diver in
excess of two.
Chamber
complex for saturation diving hall have an inside height of at least 200 cm
measured over the deck plates in the middle of the chamber. There shall be an
inside volume of at least 4 m3 for each person.
It shall be
possible to carry out a controlled disconnection of the umbilical for submerged
habitat if the support vessel loses its position. In addition, it shall be easy
to retrieve the umbilical so that necessary supplies to the submerged habitat
can be re-established.
IV-VII
OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
Section 67
Loading and discharging facilities
Loading and discharging facilities for oil and chemicals shall be
designed so that the risk of pollution of the external environment is
acceptable, cf. the Management Regulations Section 6 on
acceptance criteria for major accident risk and environmental risk.
Facilities shall be designed
so that waste can be collected, stored and treated fully satisfactorily with
regard to health and environment, as mentioned in the Activities Regulations
Section 63 on waste.
Exhaust ducts for
combustion products shall be placed and designed so that hot surfaces and
sparks cannot ignite potential leakages of flammable fluids and gases, and so
that flue gases do not inconvenience personnel, or create dangerous situations
for helicopter traffic.
Vents from atmospheric tanks and containers shall be placed and designed
so that discharge of toxic or flammable gases will not entail increased risk to
the personnel or the facility.
Section 70
Lifting appliances and lifting gear
Lifting appliances and lifting gear on facilities shall be designed
based on the conditions under which the lifting gear and lifting appliances are
to be used, cf. Section 12 on handling of materials and transport
routes, access and evacuation routes. A corresponding requirement applies to
the safety of lifting appliances and lifting gear on vessels
participating in the petroleum activities.
In the choice of lifting
appliances and lifting gear on floating facilities, particular consideration
shall be given to the movements of the facility.
Drilling and well areas,
storage area included, shall be equipped for remote operation of pipes and work
strings. The requirement to remote operation of pipes and work strings in the
storage area applies from the pipes have been laid out on pipe deck and made
ready for further transport to drill floor or work deck.
The requirement with regard to such remote operation of pipes and work
strings is also applicable to lightweight rigs and snubbing units.
Helicopter decks
shall be designed and equipped so that they fulfil the requirements of the
Civil Aviation Authority’s regulations of 26 October
2007 No. 1181 relating to continental shelf aviation – commercial air transport
to and from helidecks on facilities and vessels at sea, last amended 28
January 2008.
Fire-fighting
equipment on helicopter decks shall be designed and placed so
that
a) fires on the
helicopter deck, on as well as inside helicopters, can
be fought safely and effectively,
b) rescue personnel and other
personnel are protected during evacuation of helicopters.
The helicopter
deck shall be equipped with one fire-fighting station at each access way.
Section 72
Marking of facilities
Facilities shall be marked so that they can be quickly
identified and so that other traffic in the area is warned. Marking of
facilities shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Coast Directorate.
The anchor
and marker buoys shall be marked in a corresponding manner.
All navigation marks placed at sea in
connection with the petroleum activities shall be in accordance with the IALA
rules and of a type accepted by the Coast Directorate for such marking. When
anchor points are placed outside the safety zone, the Petroleum Safety
Authority may require them to be marked with yellow anchor buoys with yellow
reflectors, if applicable with yellow flashing light.
Section 73
Marking of equipment and cargo
Cargo and
equipment which is transported, or which is used for transport to or from facilities
or vessels taking part in the petroleum activities, shall be clearly marked
with the name of the owner, facility or vessel.
Lifts shall be designed based
on the conditions under which they are to be used, and so that transport of
personnel and materials can take place effectively and safely, cf. Section 12 on
handling of materials and transport routes, access
and evacuation routes.
CHAPTER
V
IMPLEMENTATION OF EEA LAW
Section 75
Simple pressure vessels
Simple pressure vessels as defined in regulations of 7 July 1994 relating to simple pressure vessels (the SPV Regulations), last amended 6 November 2003, shall be in accordance with the requirements of the SPV
Regulations, also when such vessels are used in the petroleum activities.
Section 76
Personal protective equipment
Personal protective equipment as defined in regulations of 19 August 1994 No.
819 relating to construction, design and production of personal protective
equipment (the PPE Regulations), last amended
20 February 2004, shall be in accordance with
the requirements of the PPE Regulations, also when such equipment is used in the petroleum activities.
An
exception to this provision is the PPE Regulations Section 49
subsection 2 on diving equipment.
Section 77
Aerosols
Aerosols as defined in regulations of 1 March 1996 No. 229 relating to aerosols (the Aerosol Regulations), last amended 6 November 2003, shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Aerosol
Regulations, also when such aerosols are used in the petroleum activities.
Section 78
EMC
Electrical appliances comprised by regulations
of 31 October 2008 No. 1164relating to electrical equipment (the EE Regulations), and which are used in the petroleum activities,
shall be in accordance with the requirements
of the EE Regulations as regards electromagnetic compatibility, with the
exception of section 5 on notification duty.
Appliances and fixed
installations comprised by the Norwegian Post and Telecommunications
Authority’s regulations
of 22 January 2007 No. 89 relating to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) for
electronic communication shall be in accordance
with the requirements of these regulations, also when such equipment is
used in the petroleum activities.
Section 79
Ex-equipment
This section no longer applies.
Section 80
ATEX
Equipment and safety systems for
use in explosive areas as defined in regulations of 9 December 1996 No. 1242 relating to equipment and safety
systems for use in explosive areas (the ATEX
Regulations), last amended 8 December 2003, shall be in accordance with the requirements of the ATEX Regulations, also
when such equipment is used in the petroleum activities, with the exception
following from the ATEX Regulations Section 1 fourth paragraph fifth item.
Section 81
Pressure equipment not comprised by the Facilities Regulations
These regulations do not apply to pressure equipment
comprised by regulations of 9 June 1999 No. 721 relating to pressure equipment, last amended 10 July 2002.
Section 82
Machinery and safety components not comprised by the Facilities Regulations
These regulations do not apply to products comprised
by regulations
20 May 2009 No. 544 relating to machinery (the machinery regulations).
CHAPTER
VI
ENTRY INTO FORCE
Section 83
Entry into force
1) These regulations enter into
force 1 January 2002.
2) In the areas of health,
working environment and safety, technical requirements in regulations that
applied up to the time of entry into force of these regulations, may be used
for existing facilities.
3) In the case of major
rebuildings and modifications of existing facilities these regulations shall
nevertheless apply to that which is comprised by the rebuilding and
modification.
4) Requirements to
instrumentation for aviation weather service as mentioned in section 16 on
instrumentation for monitoring and recording, enter into force 1 January 2008.
5) Requirements to helicopter
decks as mentioned in section 71 on helicopter decks, cf. the Civil Aviation
Authority’s regulations of 26 October 2007 No. 1181 relating to continental shelf
aviation – commercial air transport to and from helidecks on facilities and
vessels at sea chapters IV and V, do not apply to
facilities built before 1 June 1993. The requirement in said regulations section 10 on
size of helidecks, does not apply to facilities built before 1 January 2008.
