Research and Development
OilComp has since 2003 been NOROG’s (Norwegian Oil and Gas) Project Lead within area preparedness (human factors) and has in this connection carried out a number of projects
Survival in rough seas - literature study
Getting an overview of the factors that affect survival and prolong the time a person can survive in cold water is important for defining emergency preparedness time, personal safety equipment, planning and resources in connection with the oil activities in the North Sea. The same mechanisms apply to everyone who works at sea.
In this Norwegian oil and gas (formerly OLF) project from 2003, OilComp was asked to study and gather relevant information on this important topic - Survival in Cold Water.
The report and the results from this literature study formed the basis for all maritime training in Norway, as the content of this report is still part of the curriculum for the courses of the Norwegian Maritime Directorate (STCW) and Norwegian Oil and Gas.
Development of test procedures for helicopter transport suits
OilComp has been responsible for developing and verifying Norwegian Oil and Gas' (formerly OLF) test procedure for helicopter transport suits. The main focus in the test procedure has been determining the function of the suits in wind and waves, and especially the immersion suit's ability to protect against water intrusion and flushing.
The procedure has been used in all the suit tests OilComp has carried out for Norwegian oil and gas. Among the suits that have been tested are HellyHansen Special Products' HH-E352, HH-E352-3, HH-E352-4, HH-SeaAir. OilComp has also tested a suit for Viking Life-Saving Equipment.
Testing of helicopter transport suits in a wave pool
In accordance with Norwegian Oil and Gas' (formerly OLF) test procedures for helicopter transport suits, OilComp has tested a number of suits and equipment components associated with them. We have performed several of the tests in a wave pool in Esbjerg (Denmark) where we simulated realistic conditions with wind in stiff gale force, rain and waves up to 1.2 meters.
In connection with testing of various equipment components on the life jackets, we have also had suits undergo a number of challenges and environments that are relevant to an offshore worker. This includes helicopter caps, life socks, life rafts, falls from heights up to 28 meters (with dummy model) etc.
Testing of suits under extreme conditions
In February 2004, OilComp in collaboration with the Coast Guard tested the helicopter transport suit HH-E352-4 (also called the Halten Nordland suit) under realistic conditions in the sea off Vesterålen. In up to 47 knots of wind, 9 meter high waves and a temperature of 2 ° C degrees in both the water and the air, the test revealed how to behave in order to survive a stay in the sea under such conditions. The client for the project was «Norwegian Oil and Gas».
The four test persons showed that this was possible with the correct use of the suit and correct behavior in the rough sea. The test subjects stayed in the cold water for 2 hours without getting any water leaks into the suit or significantly reduced core temperature.
Based on these tests, OilComp has developed teaching materials with film and pictures that have been used in a number of courses and publications in sea rescue.
Training in the proper use of helicopter transport suits for offshore workers
Tests carried out in a wave pool according to The Norwegian Oil and Gas' (formerly OLF) test procedure for helicopter transport suits showed that the suits used in the North Sea until the summer of 2005 did not provide sufficient protection against water penetration during a stay in rough seas.
The improved HHE-352-4 helicopter transport suit, which came on the market in April 2004, after being tested by OilComp, had better seals around the face and sleeves to prevent water leaks, splash guards and a number of other improvements.
OilComp was commissioned by Norwegian Oil and Gas to develop proposals for training plans and a revised curriculum for Norwegian oil and gas basic courses in sea rescue. This led to many safety centers using exposure to waves and wind in their training, so that the training focused on utilizing the suit in a proper way.
In connection with the implementation of the helicopter transport suit, OilComp implemented training on heliports and offshore for 24,000 offshore workers during a 3-month period.
Survival in rough seas - specialization course for instructors
When establishing area preparedness in the North Sea, the focus was on a number of factors that affect and improve the possibility of survival in rough seas, which has led to several improvement measures, especially in personal rescue equipment. In connection with the implementation of the new rescue equipment, OilComp was commissioned by Norwegian Oil and Gas to create curricula and develop an in-depth course for instructors at the country's safety centers in sea rescue.
Two courses were conducted in Norway and Denmark in the winter of 2004/2005. Among the participants were instructors from the safety centers, as well as personnel from both the shop stewards and offshore HSE departments at companies in the oil industry.
Development of operational procedures during evacuation from a helicopter
OilComp developed operational procedures for the proper use of the helicopter transport suit and breathing lung during evacuation from a helicopter. Development of good operational procedures and equipment requires; use of systematic and recognized methods from one investigates the problem area and develops a requirements specification, verifiable test methods (publishable), a prototype suit that is tested under realistic conditions, where one trains instructors and develops teaching materials until one finally with user participation tests out suit with breathing lung under a simulated evacuation from a Sikorsky S-92 helicopter used in the North Sea.
OilComp carried out this test in connection with the development of an introductory film for one of the helicopter transport companies. Findings from the test have been included in OilComp's course activities.
Man overboard at work over the open sea (Norwegian oil and gas - DFU1)
On behalf of Norwegian Oil and Gas (formerly OLF) and several national and international oil companies, OilComp conducted an evaluation and mapping of 56 permanent and mobile installations in the North Sea in 2004.
Man overboard when working over the open sea is described as one of Norwegian Oil and Gas' Defined Danger and Accident Situations (DFU) in connection with area preparedness. This DFU is in the context of area preparedness defined as DFU 1. The performance requirement for pick-up from the sea is here set at 8 minutes.
The project described the dangers that are present as well as the measures that can reduce the consequences if such a situation should occur.
Competence center for waste and environmental technology in Northwest Russia
In collaboration with the consulting company Aukner Neuman AS, OilComp carried out a study commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nordic Environment Fund and large Norwegian land-based recycling industry groups to develop a competence center for environmental control in the Barents region, both on the Norwegian and Russian side. Murmansk).
In this project, both the environmental challenges that are present in the region before and after the oil industry has started operational activities were highlighted. The study also highlighted the needs for competence-enhancing measures and the commercial opportunities that exist in the area within waste, recycling and environmental technology, if the framework conditions are created for this.