EXTERNAL PUBLICATIONS

SUMMARY 

Examines the offshore accident and incident statistics (1996-2002) to compare Floating production storage and off-loading unit (FPSO) records with those of other fixed installations in the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS). Particular attention was given to accidents and incidents attributable to adverse weather and vessel motions, to assess FPSO susceptibility to these hazards. States that FPSO specific incidents account for about 20% of the total incidents on FPSOs. The results show that, broadly, 33% were attributable to swivels or turrets, 22% arise from offloading systems, 15% relate to adverse weather including wave loading incidents and motion related incidents from collision, potential collision and stability incidents, 10% arise from marine systems and 9% arise from mooring and station keeping incidents. The total population engaged in offshore operations has decreased from over 300,000 people in the early 1990s to around 23,000 in 2002. In contrast, the FPSO/FSU population has increased to represent about 5% of the total. From 199-2002 the incident rate shows a downward trend for both FPSOs and all installation types, and now broadly the same incident rate. In earlier years the rate of dangerous occurrences on FPSOs was higher than other installation types.

This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy