Risk Management in Drilling Operations
There will always be a certain amount of uncertainty related to the consequences of various activities. No activities can take place without an element of risk being present. This also applies to petroleum exploration and production. As an oil company, it is our responsibility to reduce this risk as much as possible, to avoid that our activities have adverse effects on people, the environment, or economical values.

Identifying risk and understanding risk is necessary to prevent accidents and to ensure adequate emergency preparedness and reduce uncertainty.

For each project, the miscellaneous variables that may induce risk in the project are reviewed and followed up throughout the duration of the project. Det norske may reduce uncertainty by performing various analyses and studies, by exploiting amassed know-how and experience, and by employing scientific methods.

Qualitative risk analyses and emergency preparedness analyses are carried out for the drilling rigs employed by Det norske. On the basis of these analyses, we perform area-specific assessments and identify specific actions aimed at reducing risk in our drilling operations. Area-specific assessments include:

  • Mapping of natural resources and environmental issues
  • Collision studies
  • Rig relocation
  • Anchor handling
  • Well design
  • Weather conditions

Determining whether the decision-making basis is sufficient constitutes an essential part of Det norske's risk management. Alternatively, an assessment of the need and possibility for additional risk reduction may be performed before the decision to initiate the activity is made.

Risk develops over time, among other things in accordance with the activities being performed. If a situation were to arise during the course of a project, Det norske will always perform an assessment of whether the change will have an impact on the assumptions. If this is the case, a new risk assessment is performed.  

The Petroleum Safety Norway has published information pertaining to risk, risk management, and facts and statistics related to the risk level on the Norwegian Shelf: www.psa.no