Equinor/OSM Offshore – Heidrun – materials handling and safe use of lifting equipment

The audit was conducted from 27 to 31 May 2024.

Background

Equinor is the operator on the Heidrun field. Heidrun B acts as a storage facility for the field, and is owned by Equinor while OSM is the service provider. It is Equinor's responsibility to ensure that everyone who performs work for the company complies with the requirements set out in the HSE regulations, with reference to the Framework Regulations, section 7(2). The audit is part of our follow-up of Equinor as operator on the Heidrun field and OSM as service provider.

Objective

The objective of the audit was to verify that Equinor and OSM's management of materials handling and safe use of lifting equipment complied with the company's own and the authorities' requirements, so as to reduce the likelihood of failures.

Result

Heidrun B was completed and put into operation in 2015, and has a life expectancy of 30 years. The facility is to remain in the same location throughout the period. Heidrun B is built as a storage vessel under the regulations for mobile facilities in Norwegian waters, classified by DNV, in accordance with the Framework Regulations, section 3, following a maritime operational concept. The facility is Norwegian-flagged and is registered in the NOR registers.

Since Heidrun B is a ship-shaped facility located at Haltenbanken, there are periodic large movements on board. This can create challenges for efficient and safe materials handling.

The audit identified the following non-conformities:

• Efficient and safe materials handling (OSM/Equinor)
• Bunkering hose stations (Equinor)
• Norwegian language (Equinor/OSM)
• Training of personnel (OSM)
• Competence requirements for lifting equipment technical responsible persons (OSM)
• Equinor's supervisory role (Equinor)

What happens now?

We have asked Equinor and OSM to report to us by 8 November 2024 on how the non-conformities will be addressed.