2024 HSE TRENDS : WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO OFFSHORE SAFETY NEXT ?
HSE concepts are now embedded along all offshore operation streams and are particularly prevalent during the rig drilling operations in jack-up rigs . In 2024 , safety strategies in the oil and gas industry implemented a paradigm shift ; these shifts have technological advancement , regulatory changes , and environmental considerations as driving factors . Such shifts redefine the landscape Jack-Up Rig operations have to adapt to for safety , efficiency , and sustainability in offshore work methods .
The defining trend in jack-up rig safety in 2024 is to graft cutting-edge technology-injected protocols for safety . Automation and digital tools have reduced the need for people to get into dangerous and hazardous spaces , thereby minimizing the chances of accidents . Automated drilling systems currently in widespread use have transformed drilling accuracy and reduced human error significantly .
Such innovative applications are possible with the aid of digital twin technology . This technology will eventually develop a kind of virtual twin for the rig , which can be tested under all expected operational conditions to identify potential safety risk events and run real-time optimizations three days from today . An example is integrated digital twins on rigs by Maersk Drilling , who are now able to proactively predict and avoid equipment failure leading to accidents . Thus , safety is achieved in part , and overall operability efficiency is improved by reducing downtimes and maintenance costs .
Having undergone numerous incidents in
the past , the oil and gas industry now intends to thoroughly emphasize emergency preparedness strategies . Rig operators have upgraded from old-fashioned training into more advanced virtual reality and augmented reality programs simulating blowouts , fires , or structural collapses to immerse the crew in better drills for emergencies . These tools allow the team members to undergo excellent immersion in agility and functional drills .
Stringent international HSE standards , carbon emission reduction technologies , such as CCUS ( Carbon Capture , Utilization , and Storage ), and digital technologies such as AI and IoT for environmental impact monitoring and compliance form part of global HSE initiatives . Companies are also setting ambitious goals on sustainability — for instance , net-zero emissions by 2038 , with plans to integrate renewable energy , support circular economy practices , and have sustainability reporting .
Then , some examples of HSE and sustainability practices by the frontrunners include BP plc ’ s large initiative on workplace injuries with increased safe monitoring systems as well as training for workforce implications . The aim of the program , “ Beyond Petroleum ”, is to reduce carbon emissions by about 40 % by 2030 and also invest in renewable energy technologies . Shell focuses on employing advanced technologies for safe operations and meets the health impacts of wellness programs from offshore drilling . Among its sustainability goals is the plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions in 2050 through renewable energy and carbon management solutions .
Equinor ASA develops stringent safety policy and conditions to mitigate occupational risks through regular audits and enhancement of advanced safety systems ; invests heavily in offshore wind and low-carbon solutions with net-zero ambition by 2050 ; with the vision that TotalEnergies SE will achieve an active program and pursue comprehensive health and safety initiatives while aiming for a 15 percent reduction of carbon intensity by the year 2030 and adaptation to low-carbon energy portfolios . Digital solutions include AI for environmental management and predictive safety analytics .
14 | January-February 2025 | www . rigsbargeworld . com