Rise in hydrocarbon leaks into North Sea in 2019 - but drop in most serious incidents

The number of hydrocarbon leaks into the North Sea rose last year, according to a new report.

Oil and Gas UK has released its findings into the health, safety and environmental performance of offshore firms in 2019.

It found hydrocarbon releases went up from 101 to 125 last year - but the more serious RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) reportable incidents decreased from 85 to 67.

Overall, 49 per cent (62) of all releases were classed as minor, with 10 per cent still to be classified, and three were classified as major releases. 

In aviation safety, last year saw a third consecutive year of accident-free flying in the United Kingdom Continental Shelf, and for the second year running, the five-year fatal accident rate per 100,000 flying hours remained at zero.

Trevor Stapleton, OGUK's health, safety and environment director, said: "The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on oil and gas operations in the North Sea.

"However, this virus should not and will not distract industry from focusing on its key goal of maintaining safe operations while continuing to provide the energy society needs – however challenging that might be.

"Understanding our past performance means we can identify areas of strength and areas that need further work and focus our efforts accordingly.

"As an industry, we take any hydrocarbon release very seriously. The UK offshore oil and gas industry’s work to improve safety performance is delivering in many areas – but we must continue our relentless focus on safe operations in every aspect.

"The number of these releases considered reportable under RIDDOR requirements is down year-on-year, but there are signs of an increase in the three-year rolling average.

"We are working closely with operators and regulators to maintain principles of process safety, and our hydrocarbon release prevention strategies will be refined for next year

"It is encouraging to see that dangerous occurrences and the non-fatal injury rate both fell to their lowest levels in 2019 and, while a single one is too many, it is a testament to industry that continued focus in these areas has resulted in improvement."

Mr Stapleton added: "We are taking action and working with the UK Government on a major sector deal. The deal will give industry opportunities and guidance on decarbonisation, electrification of assets and the development of carbon capture and storage – all of which will drive down emissions.

"Despite the signs of improvement, there can be no room for complacency and the safety of our workforce remains a key priority for our members."

The report's key findings were:

·         1% failure for offshore medical – lowest since 2010

·         Medical assessments up by 46,000

·         Dangerous occurrences and non-fatal injury rate fell to lowest levels

·         Aviation saw a year of accident free flying in UKCS

·         Hydrocarbon releases increased overall (from 101 to 125), but more serious RIDDOR reportable releases decreased (from 85 to 67)

·         HCR: The majority of releases were of gas, followed by 43 releases of non-process hydrocarbons such as hydraulic or lube oil

·         Mass of chemical releases decreased by 34%

·         95% of chemicals released fell into low-risk categories

·         Increase of 17% of chemicals discharged to sea under permit, related to an increase in drilling activity

·         Accidental oil releases decreased

·         Accidental oil and chemical releases lowest since 2011

·         Average oil discharge mass decreased

·         Total mass of dispersed oil discharged increased by 5%, from 2182 tonnes to 2296 tonnes and concentration increased to 16.9 from 16.1 mg/l, still well below the 30 mg/l threshold set by OSPAR