OFFSHORE WORKERS’ SAFETY: WE WILL OBSERVE CLOSELY
The chair for Industry Energy Equinor Offshore does not think that the CEO of the Petroleum Safety Authority, Anne Myrvold, will be let down. Our goal is for the NCS operations to remain world-leading on health, safety and environment, regardless of the responsible government ministry.
On Thursday, the Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Aasland showed up at the Petroleum Safety Authority in Stavanger to inform that they were now a part of his portfolio (Norwegian only).
Since the separation from the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate in 2002, the Ministry of Labour has been responsible. Due to the Russian aggression in Europe and the security performance offshore, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre wants to converge the petroleum strings. Thus, the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy will be the new home of the Petroleum Safety Authority.
In Equinor – by far the largest party on the Norwegian Continental Shelf – the employee representatives are aware of the issue. They are, however, not worried.
Looking after themselves?
-One concern might be that the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy are now responsible for looking after themselves. But if the management of the Petroleum Safety Authority will be handled in another department than the one handling licenses and operatorships, I think that this will be OK. The main point being that the Petroleum Safety Authority gets the required resources, says Per Steinar Stamnes, Chair Industry Energy Equinor Offshore.
The view that the Labour Inspection Authority resides under the Ministry of Labour and Inclusion, and therefore the Petroleum Safety Authority also should do so, is not shared by Stamnes.
-Offshore we are closely collaborating with the Civil Aviation Authority. As long as the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy ensures the independence of the Petroleum Safety Authority, I am not concerned. Our goal is for the NCS operations to remain world-leading on health, safety and environment, regardless of the responsible government ministry, he says.
