AKOFS has applied for an Acknowledgement of Compliance for the AKOFS Seafarer mobile drilling facility.

In connection with an AoC application, the PSA conducts audits within selected specialist domains.

From 15 to 17 January 2020, we carried out an audit of electrical facilities, technical safety and maintenance management on AKOFS Seafarer. The part of the audit concerned with electrical facilities was coordinated with an audit by the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB). During the audit, the facility was in the process of being prepared for operation on the NCS.

Objective

The objective of the audit was to verify the technical condition, organisation, preparations for operation and relevant documents in the management system for monitoring compliance with the requirements in the petroleum regulations.

Result

Ten non-conformities were identified, relating to:

  • The AoC application
  • Project execution and completion
  • Barrier management
  • Ignition source control
  • Emergency lighting
  • Passive fire protection
  • Electrotechnical system analyses
  • Work on and operation of electrical installations
  • Training, exercises and drills
  • Maintenance management and preservation

In addition, an improvement point was identified concerning the disconnection of safety systems.

What happens now?

We have asked AKOFS to report on how the non-conformities will be addressed. We have also asked for an assessment of the improvement point observed.

Before we issue an AoC, the company must have corrected all known safety-critical non-conformities, and the facility must have been issued with maritime certificates from the appropriate flag state.