**Equinor Draw Up Plans for Barents Sea Emergency Preparedness at ONS 2024**
Equinor, a leading oil and gas operator, has revealed its plans for a comprehensive emergency preparedness system in the southwestern Barents Sea. This initiative emphasizes safety and readiness in an area characterized by long distances from the mainland, harsh weather conditions, and crucial natural resources. The new system will be a collaborative effort with Vår Energi and has already received approval from the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil). It aims to be operational from January 1, 2025.
Grete B. Haaland, Equinor’s senior vice president for Exploration & Production North, highlighted the significance of this system, saying, “With Johan Castberg coming onstream toward the end of the year and increased activity in the north, we are now establishing an area-wide emergency preparedness system in the Barents Sea.” The system is designed to enhance safety and preparedness by introducing new resources, expertise, and capabilities.
Key components of the emergency preparedness system include:
– A “all weather search and rescue” S-92 type helicopter stationed at Hammerfest Airport.
– Three emergency response and rescue vessels with standing oil spill response capabilities:
– One dedicated to Vår Energi-operated Goliat.
– One dedicated to Equinor-operated Johan Castberg.
– A joint emergency response and rescue vessel.
The new solution will also feature an emergency response and rescue vessel that provides inspection, maintenance, and repair capabilities. In the long term, the system aims to improve response times for search and rescue missions and enhance medical preparedness in the area.
Equinor has also proposed additional measures to bolster preparedness, such as:
– Continuous ocean and ice monitoring.
– Monitoring and follow-up support from Equinor’s operations center in Bergen with digital systems and round-the-clock staffing.
– Increased interaction, central coordination, and mutual agreement between companies involved in the area-wide emergency preparedness.
– Potential mobilization of oil spill response equipment at the NOFO base in Hammerfest, allowing for swift response to oil spill incidents impacting platform supply vessels.
This initiative reflects Equinor’s ongoing commitment to safety and readiness in the Barents Sea. The formation of this system builds upon successful emergency preparedness efforts already in place, notably those established by Vår Energi for the Goliat field.
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