Safety in Offshore Platforms - Use of QRA in the Norwegian Offshore Industry

Abstract

The chapter is concerned with the development and status of Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) in the Norwegian offshore industry. The chapter outlines the background to the use of QRA and how the regulations have developed with time to broaden the scope and use of such studies. A key standard governing the use of QRA is NORSOK Z-013 which describes requirements for risk assessment and emergency preparedness assessment. The general requirements are described, followed by an outline of how different types of accidents are analyzed in QRAs. Result presentation, risk metrics used in QRA, and use of QRA in decision making are also described. The chapter is wrapped up with some thoughts about future development of QRA. There are presently initiatives underway to modify the way QRAs are done and this is discussed briefly, in addition to some other potential developments that we may see at the time of writing.