ADAPTING THE APPLICATION OF RISK ANALYSIS IN OFFSHORE PLATFORM DESIGNTO NEW FRAMEWORK CONDITIONS

This paper reviews results and experiences from a problem driven metho d development process within an ongoing oil field development project. Primary driving forces have been the NORSOK initiative to reduce over all project costs and new legislation on health, safety and environmen t. Four cases are presented, where risk analysis methods and practices have been changed to meet new needs. These cover needs of input to th e selection of one platform concept from alternative standard concepts , specification and qualification of cost-efficient safety measures an d analysis of the risk of occupational accidents. It is concluded that research may support the development processes through systematic eva luation and documentation. Significant areas of interest are standardi zation of risk acceptance criteria, development of risk analysis metho ds for special applications and evaluations of safety management progr ammes. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Limited.