Russia and Norway develop unified standards in the Barents Sea

Oil and gas exploration, production and transportation will increase in the Barents Sea in the years to come. Authorities and industry, both in Russia and in Norway recognize the unique challenges facing the industry in this area due to low temperatures, harsh weather, ice, icing, darkness, lack of infrastructure and special need to protect the environment.

A Russian – Norwegian cooperation project, Barents 2020, was therefore launched in early 2008, led by DNV, with the aim of recommending standards for safeguarding people, the environment and asset, applicable in the Barents Sea, in both Russian and Norwegian waters.

Phase 1 and 2 of the project was financed by the Norwegian Government through the Barents 2020 programme. From the outset a working assumption has been that operations in the Barents Sea shall be at least as safe as those in the North Sea. A thorough process of research, prepared position papers, workshops, conferences and negotiations the Russian and Norwegian project partners have now agreed to select the following seven topics for further study in phase 3 during 2009:

1. Recommend the basic list of internationally recognized standards for use in the Barents Sea

2. Recommend standards for design of stationary offshore units against ice loads in the Barents Sea

3. Recommend standards for Risk Management of major hazards, such as fires, explosions, blow-outs, on offshore drilling, production and storage units operating in the Barents Sea

4. Recommend standards for evacuation and rescue of people from ships and offshore units, including standards for rescue equipment under various Barents Sea conditions

5. Recommend standards for the working environment and safety related to human performance and decision making (human factors) for operations in the Barents Sea

6. Recommend safe standards for loading, unloading and transportation of oil with ships in the Barents Sea – to minimize risk of accidental oil spills

7. Recommend standards for operational emissions and discharges to air and water in the Barents Sea

These topics will be studied by seven specially appointed Russian and Norwegian expert groups. DNV will appoint coordinators for each group. The work will be presented in a conference in Moscow in December 2009. The final report will be submitted to relevant national authorities and standardisation organisations for their consideration.