Citation and commencement

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 and shall come into operation on 21st May 2007.

Interpretation

2.—(1) In these Regulations—

“the 1993 Regulations” means the Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations (Northern Ireland)1993(9);

“current safety case” means a safety case in respect of an installation which has been accepted by the Executive pursuant to these Regulations or, subject to regulation 27, the 1993 Regulations and includes any revision thereto which—

“dismantling” means the dismantling or removal of the main and secondary structure of a fixed installation at the place at which it was operated;

“diving bell” means a compression chamber which is capable of being manned and is used or designed for use under the surface of water in supporting human life, being a chamber in which any occupant is or may be subject to a pressure of more than 300 millibars above atmospheric pressure during normal operations;

“duty holder” means—

“field development programme” means the support document for development and production authorisations to be submitted to the Department of Trade and Industry pursuant to the Guidance Notes on Procedures for Regulating Offshore Oil and Gas Field Developments as published on the Department of Trade and Industry’s website and revised or reissued from time to time(10);

“fixed installation” means an installation which cannot be moved from place to place without major dismantling or modification, whether or not it has its own motive power;

“installation” means an offshore installation within the meaning of regulation 3 of the Management Regulations;

“licensee” means any person to whom a licence to search and bore for and get petroleum in respect of any area within relevant waters is granted pursuant to section 3 of the Petroleum Act 1998(11);

“major accident” means—

“management system” means the organisation and arrangements established by a person for managing his undertaking;

“the Management Regulations” means the Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (Management and Administration) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995(12);

“non-production installation” means an installation other than a production installation;

“notified” means notified in writing;

“operator”, in relation to a pipeline, means—

“operator”, in relation to a production installation, means—

“owner” means the person who controls the operation of a non-production installation;

“petroleum”—

“the PFEER Regulations” means the Offshore Installations (Prevention of Fire and Explosion, and Emergency Response) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995(13);

“pipeline” shall be construed in accordance with regulation 3 of the Pipelines Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997(14);

“production installation” means an installation which—

and—

“relevant waters” means tidal waters and parts of the sea in or adjacent to Northern Ireland up to the seaward limits of the territorial sea;

“safety-critical elements” means such parts of an installation and such of its plant (including computer programmes), or any part thereof—

a major accident;

“specified plant” means the plant for an installation which is provided—

except for—

“territorial sea” means the territorial sea of the United Kingdom adjacent to Northern Ireland and “within the territorial sea” includes on, over and under it;

“vessel” includes a hovercraft and any floating structure which is capable of being staffed;

“well” means—

and shall be deemed to include any device on it for containing the pressure in it;

“well operation” means—

“well operator”, in relation to a well or proposed well, means—

(2) Any reference in these Regulations to a design notification, a relocation notification, a safety case or a notification of combined operations or well operations is a reference to a document containing the particulars specified in the Schedule referred to in the provision pursuant to which it is prepared and, for a safety case, regulation 12.

(3) Any reference in these Regulations to operating an installation is a reference to using the installation for any of the purposes described in regulation 3(1)(a) to (d) of the Management Regulations.

(4) For the purposes of these Regulations, an installation other than a production installation, the operation of which has not been treated as having commenced in accordance with regulation 7(2), shall be treated as engaged in a combined operation with another such installation or other such installations if an activity carried out from, by means of or on, that installation is carried out temporarily for a purpose related to the other installation or installations and could affect the health or safety of persons on the other installation or installations, and the expression “combined operation” shall be construed accordingly.

(5) Any reference in these Regulations to a verification scheme is a reference to a suitable written scheme for ensuring, by means described in paragraph (6), that the safety-critical elements and the specified plant—

(a) are or, where they remain to be provided, will be suitable; and

(b) where they have been provided, remain in good repair and condition.

(6) The means referred to in paragraph (5) are—

(a) examination, including testing where appropriate, of the safety-critical elements and the specified plant by independent and competent persons;

(b) examination of any design, specification, certificate, CE marking or other document, marking or standard relating to those elements or that plant by such persons;

(c) examination by such persons of work in progress;

(d) the taking of appropriate action following reports by such persons;

(e) the taking of other such steps as may be properly provided for pursuant to regulation 19 and Schedule 7; and

(f) the taking of any steps incidental to the means described in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e).

(7) For the purposes of paragraph (6) and regulations 19 and 20, a person shall be regarded as independent only where—

(a) his function will not involve the consideration by him of an aspect, of a thing liable to be examined, for which he bears or has borne such responsibility as might compromise his objectivity; and

(b) he will be sufficiently independent of a management system, or of a part thereof, which bears or has borne any responsibility for an aspect of which he might consider, of a thing liable to be examined, to ensure that he will be objective in discharging his function.

(8) Any reference in these Regulations to an activity in connection with an installation is a reference to any activity in connection with an installation, or any activity which is immediately preparatory thereto, whether carried on from the installation itself, in or from a vessel or in any other manner, other than—

(a) transporting, towing or navigating the installation; and

(b) any activity in or from a vessel which is ready to give assistance in the event of an emergency on or near the installation.

(9) Where a duty holder is succeeded by a new duty holder, anything done in compliance with these Regulations by the duty holder in relation to an installation shall, for the purposes of these Regulations, be treated as having been done by his successor.

Communication and storage of information by electronic means

3.—(1) Except as provided in paragraph (5), where these Regulations require or allow a person to communicate information to another, whether in writing or otherwise, that person may communicate such information by electronic means.

(2) Information communicated by electronic means shall not be treated as having been received by the recipient for the purposes of these Regulations unless the recipient—

(a) has agreed to receive that information by electronic means by providing the sender with an address to which that information may be sent;

(b) is able to read and print that information; and

(c) is able to store that information in a form with which the sender cannot interfere.

(3) In the absence of a clear indication to the contrary, information communicated by electronic means in accordance with, and for the purposes of, these Regulations shall be deemed—

(a) to be accurately dated and timed;

(b) to have been sent by the person from whom it purports to originate;

(c) not to have been tampered with or otherwise modified; and

(d) where relevant, to be intended to have legal effect.

(4) Where these Regulations require any person to record, note or store information, it may be recorded, noted or stored on film or by electronic means if it—

(a) can be reproduced (in the case of information recorded, noted or stored on film, at the place at which it is recorded, noted or stored) as a written copy; and

(b) is reasonably secure from loss or unauthorised interference.

(5) This regulation shall not apply to regulation 22(2).

Application within the territorial sea

4.—(1) Within the territorial sea these Regulations shall apply only to and in relation to the premises and activities to which paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of Schedule 1 apply.

(2) These Regulations shall not apply to wells to which the Borehole Sites and Operations Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995(15) apply.

Duties of licensee

5.  The licensee shall—

(a) ensure that any operator appointed by him is capable of satisfactorily carrying out his functions and discharging his duties under the relevant statutory provisions; and

(b) take all reasonable steps to ensure that any operator appointed by him carries out his functions and discharges his duties under the relevant statutory provisions.

Design and relocation notifications for production installation

6.—(1) The operator of a production installation which is to be established shall—

(a) prepare a design notification containing the particulars specified in Schedule 2; and

(b) send the design notification to the Executive,

at such time before the submission of a field development programme to the Department of Trade and Industry as will enable him to take account in the design of any matters relating to health and safety raised by the Executive within 3 months (or such shorter period as the Executive may specify) of that time.

(2) The operator of a production installation which is to be moved to a new location (whether from outside relevant waters or not) and operated there shall—

(a) prepare a relocation notification containing the particulars specified in Schedule 2 not contained in any current safety case for that installation; and

(b) send the relocation notification to the Executive,

at such time before the submission of a field development programme to the Department of Trade and Industry as will enable him to take account of any matters relating to health and safety raised by the Executive within three months (or such other period as the Executive may specify) of that time.

(3) Paragraph (1) shall only require the particulars in the design notification to describe the matters referred to in that paragraph to the extent that it is reasonable to expect the duty holder to address them at the time of sending the design notification to the Executive.

(4) Where there is a material change in any of the particulars notified pursuant to—

(a) paragraph (1) prior to the duty holder sending a safety case to the Executive in accordance with regulation 7(1)(b); or

(b) paragraph (2) prior to the duty holder sending—

(i) a safety case to the Executive in accordance with regulation 7(1)(b); or

(ii) revisions to the current safety case to the Executive in accordance with regulation 14(2),

the duty holder shall notify the Executive of that change as soon as practicable.

Safety case for production installation

7.—(1) Subject to regulation 27, the operator of a production installation shall ensure that it is not operated unless—

(a) he has prepared a safety case containing the particulars specified in regulation 12 and Schedule 3;

(b) he has sent the safety case to the Executive at least six months (or such shorter period as the Executive may specify) before commencing the operation; and

(c) the Executive has accepted the safety case.

(2) For the purposes of regulation 2(4) and paragraph (1), the operation of an installation shall be treated as commenced—

(a) on the commencement of the first well drilling operation from the installation which may involve the release of petroleum from beneath the sea-bed; or

(b) when petroleum is brought onto the installation for the first time through a pipeline or well,

whichever is earlier.

(3) A safety case prepared pursuant to paragraph (1) and revisions to a current safety case prepared pursuant to regulation 9(5) may be prepared in relation to more than one production installation where the Executive so approves in writing and, where a safety case is or revisions are to be so prepared in relation to installations with different operators, it shall be sufficient compliance with paragraph (1)(a) and (b) and regulation 9(5)(a) and (b) if the operators prepare and agree a safety case or revisions containing the particulars referred to in that paragraph and that regulation and one of them sends it to the Executive in accordance with paragraph (1)(b) and regulation 9(5)(b).

Safety case for non-production installation

8.  Subject to regulation 27, the owner of a non-production installation shall ensure that it is not moved in relevant waters with a view to its being operated there unless—

(a) he has prepared a safety case containing the particulars specified in regulation 12 and Schedule 4;

(b) he has sent the safety case to the Executive at least three months (or such shorter period as the Executive may specify) before the movement of the installation in those waters with a view to its being operated there; and

(c) the Executive has accepted the safety case.

Design notification and safety case for non-production installation to be converted

9.—(1) Where a non-production installation is to be converted to enable it to be operated as a production installation, the owner shall—

(a) prepare a design notification in respect of the proposed conversion containing, subject to paragraph (3), the particulars specified in Schedule 2 not contained in any current safety case for that installation; and

(b) send the design notification to the Executive,

at such time before completion of the design of the proposed conversion as will enable him to take account in the design of any matters relating to health and safety raised by the Executive within three months (or such shorter period as the Executive may specify) of that time.

(2) The particulars specified in Schedule 2 which must be provided in respect of a design notification under paragraph (1) shall be construed as if all references to “operator” were references to the owner of the non-production installation to be converted.

(3) Paragraph (1) shall only require the particulars in the design notification to address the matters referred to in that paragraph to the extent that it is reasonable to expect the duty holder to address them at the time of sending the design notification to the Executive.

(4) Where there is a material change in any of the particulars notified pursuant to paragraph (1) prior to the duty holder sending—

(a) a safety case to the Executive in accordance with regulation 7(1); or

(b) revisions to the current safety case to the Executive in accordance with paragraph (5),

the duty holder shall notify the Executive of that change as soon as practicable.

(5) Where a non-production installation operated pursuant to a current safety case is converted to a production installation, the operator of that production installation shall ensure that it is not operated as a production installation unless—

(a) he has prepared revisions to the current safety case for that installation containing the particulars specified in regulation 12 and Schedule 3 not contained in that current safety case;

(b) he has sent a version of the current safety case which incorporates the proposed revisions, showing clearly where they are to be made, to the Executive at least 3 months (or such shorter period as the Executive may specify) before commencing the operation in accordance with regulation 7(2); and

(c) the Executive has accepted those revisions to the current safety case.

Notification of combined operations

10.—(1) A duty holder for an installation which is to be involved in a combined operation shall ensure that that installation does not engage in a combined operation unless a notification containing the particulars specified in Schedule 5 (other than those already notified to the Executive pursuant to regulation 17) in respect of that combined operation is sent to the Executive at least 21 days (or such shorter period as the Executive may specify) before it is due to commence.

(2) The requirements of paragraph (1) will be satisfied if—

(a) the duty holders for every installation involved in the combined operation prepare and agree a notification containing the particulars specified in that paragraph; and

(b) one of them sends it to the Executive at least 21 days (or such shorter period as the Executive may specify) before it is due to commence.

(3) Where there is a material change in any of the particulars notified pursuant to paragraph (1) prior to completion of the relevant combined operation, the duty holder shall notify the Executive of that change as soon as is practicable.

(4) Where there is a change in the duty holder or of the installation, the duty holder shall send a notification pursuant to paragraph (1).

Safety case for dismantling fixed installation

11.—(1) The operator of a fixed installation shall ensure that it is not dismantled unless—

(a) he has prepared revisions to the current safety case containing, subject to paragraph (2), the particulars specified in regulation 12 and Schedule 6 not contained in the current safety case for that installation;

(b) he has sent a version of the current safety case which incorporates the proposed revisions, showing clearly where they are to be made, to the Executive at least 3 months (or such shorter period as the Executive may specify) before the commencement of the dismantling; and

(c) the Executive has accepted those revisions to the current safety case.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall only require the particulars in the proposed revisions to the current safety case to describe the matters referred to in that paragraph to the extent that it is reasonable to expect the operator to address them at the time of sending the proposed revisions to the Executive.

(3) Where there is a material change in any of the particulars notified pursuant to paragraph (1) prior to the Executive deciding whether to accept the proposed revisions to the current safety case, the operator shall notify the Executive of that change as soon as practicable.

(4) In this regulation, “operator”, in relation to a fixed installation, means—

(a) the person appointed by the licensee to manage and control directly or by any other person the execution of dismantling a fixed installation; or

(b) the licensee, where—

(i) it is not clear to the Executive that one person has been appointed to perform the functions described in paragraph (a); or

(ii) in the opinion of the Executive, any person appointed to perform the functions specified in paragraph (a) is incapable of performing those functions satisfactorily.

Management of health and safety and control of major accident hazards

12.—(1) The duty holder who prepares a safety case pursuant to these Regulations shall, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), include in the safety case sufficient particulars to demonstrate that—

(a) his management system is adequate to ensure—

(i) that the relevant statutory provisions will, in respect of matters within his control, be complied with; and

(ii) the satisfactory management of arrangements with contractors and sub-contractors;

(b) he has established adequate arrangements for audit and for the making of reports thereof;

(c) all hazards with the potential to cause a major accident have been identified; and

(d) all major accident risks have been evaluated and measures have been, or will be, taken to control those risks to ensure that the relevant statutory provisions will be complied with.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall only require the particulars in the safety case to demonstrate the matters referred to in that paragraph to the extent that it is reasonable to expect the duty holder to address them at the time of sending the safety case to the Executive.

(3) In this regulation, “audit” means systematic assessment of the adequacy of the management system to achieve the purpose referred to in paragraph (1)(a) carried out by persons who are sufficiently independent of the system (but who may be employed by the duty holder) to ensure that such assessment is objective.

Review of safety case

13.—(1) A duty holder shall thoroughly review a current safety case when directed to do so by the Executive.

(2) In the absence of a direction under paragraph (1), a duty holder shall thoroughly review a current safety case within 5 years of—

(a) the date on which the Executive accepted that current safety case; and

(b) the date of the previous such review.

(3) A duty holder shall send a summary of each such review to the Executive—

(a) where the review is conducted at the direction of the Executive, within such reasonable time, being a period of not less than 28 days of the direction, as may be specified by the Executive; or

(b) in all other cases, within 28 days of its conclusion.

Revision of safety case

14.—(1) In addition to the other occasions on which a duty holder must revise a current safety case pursuant to these Regulations, a duty holder shall revise a current safety case—

(a) when appropriate; and

(b) when directed to do so by the Executive pursuant to regulation 15(1).

(2) Revisions made under paragraph (1)(a) which make a material change to the current safety case shall not be effective unless—

(a) the duty holder has sent a version of the current safety case which incorporates the proposed revisions, showing clearly where they are to be made, to the Executive—

(i) at least 3 months, or such shorter period as the Executive may specify; or

(ii) where the revisions relate to a combined operation, at least 6 weeks, or such shorter period as the Executive may specify,

before the revisions are to be made; and

(b) the Executive has accepted the revisions.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (2)—

(a) no well operation shall constitute a material change;

(b) no revision prepared or made pursuant to regulation 27 shall constitute a material change;

(c) the movement of a production installation to a new location to be operated there shall constitute a material change; and

(d) the conversion of a production installation to enable it to be operated as a non-production installation shall constitute a material change,

to the current safety case for the purposes of paragraph (2).

Power of Executive in relation to safety cases and related documents

15.—(1) The Executive may direct a duty holder to prepare revisions to a current safety case in relation to such matters as the Executive may notify to him.

(2) When making a direction for the purposes of paragraph (1), the Executive shall explain why it believes that each revision is necessary and shall specify a period, not being less than 28 days, within which the duty holder shall submit such revisions to the Executive.

(3) Revisions submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not be effective unless—

(a) the duty holder has sent a version of the current safety case which incorporates the proposed revisions, showing clearly where they are to be made, to the Executive; and

(b) the Executive has accepted the revisions.

(4) After the submission of a design notification required under regulation 6 or 9 and prior to the submission of a safety case in respect of a production installation, the duty holder for that installation shall provide the Executive with a copy of any document which, in the opinion of the Executive, may be directly or indirectly relevant to the duty holder’s preparation of the safety case for that installation within such reasonable time of the demand, being a period of not less than 14 days, as may be specified by the Executive.

(5) The Executive may suspend any current safety case where it does not accept any proposed revision thereto submitted to it pursuant to regulation 15(3) or 27(2).

(6) When suspending a current safety case in accordance with paragraph (5), the Executive shall explain why it believes that a suspension is necessary.

(7) During any period in which the current safety case for an installation is suspended, the duty holder for that installation shall ensure that it is not operated.

(8) The Executive may lift any suspension in respect of a current safety case when it is satisfied that the health and safety of persons who are likely to be affected by the lifting of any suspension will not be prejudiced in consequence of it.

Duty to conform with safety case

16.—(1) The duty holder shall ensure that the procedures and arrangements described in the current safety case which may affect health or safety are followed.

(2) In criminal proceedings for a contravention of paragraph (1), it shall be a defence for the accused to prove that—

(a) in the particular circumstances of the case, it was not in the best interests of the health and safety of persons to follow the procedures or arrangements concerned and there was insufficient time to revise the safety case pursuant to regulation 14; or

(b) the commission of the offence was due to a contravention by another person of regulation 8 of the Management Regulations and the accused had taken all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to ensure that the procedures or arrangements were followed.

Notification of well operations

17.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a well operator shall ensure that no well operation is commenced unless he has sent a notification containing the particulars specified in Schedule 7 to the Executive at least 21 days (or such shorter period as the Executive may specify) before commencing that operation.

(2) In the case of a production installation a well operator shall ensure that—

(a) no well operation which involves—

(i) insertion of a hollow pipe in the well; or

(ii) altering the construction of the well,

is commenced unless he has sent a notification containing the particulars specified in Schedule 7 to the Executive at least 10 days (or such shorter period as the Executive may specify) before commencing that operation; and

(b) no well operation which involves drilling is commenced unless he has sent a notification containing the particulars specified in Schedule 7 to the Executive at least 21 days (or such shorter period as the Executive may specify) before commencing that operation.

(3) Where there is a material change in any of the particulars notified pursuant to paragraph (1) prior to completion of the relevant well operation, the well operator shall notify the Executive of that change as soon as practicable.

Keeping of documents

18.—(1) A duty holder shall—

(a) ensure that, when he sends—

(i) the design notification, in the case of a production installation; or

(ii) the safety case, in the case of a non-production installation,

to the Executive, it is notified of an address in Northern Ireland for the purposes of sub-paragraphs (b) and (e);

(b) keep copies, at the address referred to in sub-paragraph (a) and on the installation, of the following documents relating to the installation—

(i) the current safety case;

(ii) any summary of any review of the current safety case prepared pursuant to regulation 13(2); and

(iii) each audit report;

(c) keep copies on the installation of the following documents relating to the installation—

(i) any relocation notification and any material changes thereto;

(ii) any notification of combined operations and any material changes thereto; and

(iii) any notification of well operations and any material changes thereto;

(d) ensure that, in respect of each audit report, a written statement is made, recording—

(i) the main findings of the report;

(ii) the recommendations in the report; and

(iii) the action proposed to implement those recommendations, including the timescales involved,

and a copy of that statement is kept on the installation;

(e) ensure that a record is made of any action taken in consequence of an audit report, and a copy of that record kept at the address referred to in sub-paragraph (a) and on the installation.

(2) The copy of the current safety case referred to in paragraph (1)(b) and any other relevant documents shall be kept for so long as they are current, and the copy of the audit report, the written statement and the record referred to in that paragraph shall be kept for a period of 3 years after being made.

(3) The duty holder for an installation shall ensure that—

(a) its verification scheme, any modification of that scheme and any note made pursuant to regulation 19(2)(c) or 20(b) is kept at the address notified to the Executive pursuant to paragraph (1)(a) until the expiration of 6 months after such scheme or, as the case may be, modification of that scheme, has ceased to be current; and

(b) records, sufficient to show the matters described in paragraph 5 of Schedule 8, are kept at the address notified to the Executive pursuant to paragraph (1)(a) until the expiration of 6 months after the scheme pursuant to which they were compiled has ceased to be current.

(4) In this regulation, “audit report” means a report made pursuant to the arrangements referred to in regulation 12(1)(b).

Verification schemes

19.—(1) The duty holder for an installation shall ensure that a record of the safety-critical elements and the specified plant is made.

(2) After a record has been made in accordance with paragraph (1), the duty holder shall ensure that, in accordance with paragraph (3)—

(a) comment on that record by an independent and competent person is invited;

(b) a verification scheme providing for the matters contained in Schedule 8 is drawn up by or in consultation with such person;

(c) a note is made of any reservation expressed by such person as to the contents of—

(i) that record; or

(ii) that scheme; and

(d) that scheme is put into effect.

(3) The matters set out in paragraph (2) shall be completed—

(a) in the case of a production installation, before completion of its design; and

(b) in the case of a non-production installation, before it is moved into relevant waters with a view to its being operated there.

Review and revision of verification schemes

20.  The duty holder shall ensure that, as often as may be appropriate—

(a) the verification scheme for his installation is reviewed and, where necessary, revised or replaced by or in consultation with an independent and competent person; and

(b) a note is made of any reservation expressed by such person in the course of drawing it up.

Continuing effect of verification schemes

21.  The duty holder shall ensure that effect continues to be given to the verification scheme for his installation, or any revision or replacement of it, while that installation remains in being.

Defence

22.—(1) In any proceedings for an offence for a contravention of any of the provisions of regulations 19 to 21 it shall, subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), be a defence for the person charged to prove—

(a) that the commission of the offence was due to the act or default of another person not being one of his employees (hereinafter called “the other person”); and

(b) that he took all reasonable precautions, and exercised all due diligence, to avoid the commission of the offence.

(2) The person charged shall not, without the leave of the court, be entitled to rely on the defence in paragraph (1) unless, within a period ending 7 days before the hearing, he has served on the prosecutor a notice in writing giving such information identifying or assisting in the identification of the other person as was then in his possession.

(3) For the purpose of enabling the other person to be charged with and convicted of the offence by virtue of Article 34 of the 1978 Order, a person who establishes a defence under this regulation shall nevertheless be treated for the purposes of that Article as having committed the offence.

Exemptions

23.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Executive may, by a certificate in writing, exempt any person, installation or well or class of persons, installations or wells from any requirement or prohibition imposed by these Regulations and any such exemption may be granted subject to conditions and with or without limit of time and may be revoked by a certificate in writing at any time.

(2) The Executive shall not grant any such exemption unless, having regard to the circumstances of the case, and in particular to—

(a) the conditions, if any, which it proposes to attach to the exemption; and

(b) any other requirements imposed by or under any statutory provisions which apply to the case,

it is satisfied that the health and safety of persons who are likely to be affected by the exemption will not be prejudiced in consequence of it, and that the exemption will be compatible with Article 3(2) of Council Directive 92/91/EEC concerning the minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers in the mineral-extracting industries through drilling(16).

Appeals

24.—(1) Any person who is aggrieved by a decision of the Executive—

(a) as to a finding of fact made by the Executive for the purposes of these Regulations which affects him as a duty holder or licensee or any installation for which he is or may be responsible;

(b) not to accept a safety case prepared by him and submitted to the Executive pursuant to regulation 7(1) or 8;

(c) to direct him to prepare revisions to a current safety case in accordance with regulation 15(1);

(d) not to accept a revision to a current safety case prepared by him and submitted to the Executive in accordance with regulation 9(5), 11(1), 14(2), 15(3) or 27(1) or (2);

(e) to suspend pursuant to regulation 15(5) a current safety case held by him;

(f) not to lift a suspension in respect of a current safety case pursuant to regulation 15(8);

(g) to grant to him an exemption certificate subject to a condition or a limit of time pursuant to regulation 23(1); or

(h) to revoke an exemption certificate granted to him pursuant to regulation 23(1),

may appeal to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

(2) The provisions of Schedule 9 shall apply where an aggrieved person appeals to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

(3) Any decision of the Executive which is the subject of an appeal under this regulation shall not be suspended pending final determination of the appeal.

Amendments

25.  The statutory provisions referred to in Schedule 10 shall be amended in accordance with that Schedule.

Revocation

26.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the 1993 Regulations are hereby revoked.

(2) Regulations 5, 8, 9, 14 and 16 of, and Schedule 4 to, the 1993 Regulations shall remain in operation until 6th October 2007 insofar as they relate to combined operations.

Transitional provisions

27.—(1) Subject to paragraph (4), where there is an intention to carry out combined operations within 3 years of the coming into operation of these Regulations, a duty holder shall ensure that before the first combined operation is commenced, he has made effective revisions to a current safety case accepted by the Executive pursuant to the 1993 Regulations which contain the particulars specified in—

(a) regulation 12, in relation to combined operations;

(b) paragraph 14 of Schedule 3, in relation to a production installation; or

(c) paragraph 13 of Schedule 4, in relation to a non-production installation,

not contained in the current safety case for that installation.

(2) Revisions made pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not be effective unless—

(a) the duty holder has sent a version of the current safety case which incorporates the proposed revisions, showing clearly where they are to be made, to the Executive; and

(b) the Executive has accepted the revisions.

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), a duty holder shall revise a current safety case accepted by the Executive pursuant to the 1993 Regulations within 3 years of the coming into operation of these Regulations so that it includes the particulars specified in—

(a) regulation 12 and Schedule 3, in relation to a production installation; or

(b) regulation 12 and Schedule 4, in relation to a non-production installation,

not contained in the current safety case for that installation.

(4) A duty holder may continue to comply with regulations 5, 8, 9 and 14 of, and Schedule 4 to, the 1993 Regulations in relation to a current safety case for a combined operation accepted by the Executive pursuant to the 1993 Regulations provided that within 18 months of the coming into operation of these Regulations he complies with regulations 10, 14, 16, 18 and 27(1) of, and Schedule 5 to, these Regulations.

(5) For the purpose of this regulation, where there are safety cases under regulations 3(2) and 6 of the 1993 Regulations in respect of an installation, “current safety case” means the safety case prepared under regulation 7.

Regulation 4(1)

SCHEDULE 1 PREMISES AND ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE TERRITORIAL SEA

Interpretation

1.—(1) In this Schedule—

“activity” includes a diving project;

“designated area” means any area designated by Order under section 1(7) of the Continental Shelf Act 1964(17) and “within a designated area” includes over and under it;

“diving project” has the meaning assigned to it by regulation 2(1) of the Diving at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005(18) save that it includes an activity in which a person takes part as a diver wearing an atmospheric pressure suit and without breathing in air or other gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure;

“offshore installation” shall be construed in accordance with paragraph 2(2) and (3);

“supplementary unit” means a fixed or floating structure, other than a vessel, for providing energy, information or substances to an offshore installation;

“stand-by vessel” means a vessel which is ready to give assistance in the event of an emergency on or near an offshore installation;

“vessel” includes a hovercraft and any floating structure which is capable of being staffed.

(2) For the purposes of this Schedule, any structures and devices on top of a well shall be treated as forming part of the well.

(3) Any reference in this Schedule to premises and activities includes a reference to any person, article or substance on those premises or engaged in, or, as the case may be, used or for use in connection with any such activity, but does not include a reference to an aircraft which is airborne.

Offshore installations

2.—(1) This paragraph shall apply to and in relation to—

(a) any offshore installation and any activity on it;

(b) any activity in connection with an offshore installation, or any activity which is immediately preparatory thereto, whether carried on from the installation itself, on or from a vessel or in any other manner, other than—

(i) transporting, towing or navigating the installation; and

(ii) any activity in or from a vessel being used as a stand-by vessel;

(c) a diving project involving—

(i) the survey and preparation of the sea bed for an offshore installation;

(ii) the survey and restoration of the sea bed consequent on the removal of an offshore installation.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), in this paragraph, “offshore installation” means a structure which is, or is to be, or has been, used while standing or stationed in water, or on the foreshore or other land intermittently covered with water—

(a) for the exploitation, or exploration with a view to exploitation, of mineral resources by means of a well;

(b) for the storage of gas in or under the shore or bed of any water or the recovery of gas so stored;

(c) for the conveyance of things by means of a pipe; or

(d) mainly for the provision of accommodation for persons who work on or from a structure falling within any of the provisions of this sub-paragraph,

together with any supplementary unit which is ordinarily connected to it, and all the connections.

(3) Any reference in sub-paragraph (2) to a structure or unit does not include—

(a) a structure which is connected with dry land by a permanent structure providing access at all times and for all purposes;

(b) a well;

(c) a structure which has ceased to be used for any of the purposes specified in sub-paragraph (2) and has since been used for a purpose not so specified;

(d) a mobile structure which has been taken out of use and is not yet being moved with a view to its being used for any of the purposes specified in sub-paragraph (2); and

(e) any part of a pipeline.

Wells

3.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), this paragraph applies to and in relation to—

(a) a well and any activity in connection with it; and

(b) an activity which is immediately preparatory to any activity in head (a).

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) includes keeping a vessel on station for the purpose of working on a well but otherwise does not include navigation or an activity connected with navigation.

Pipelines

4.—(1) This paragraph applies to and in relation to—

(a) any pipeline;

(b) any pipeline works;

(c) the following activities in connection with pipeline works—

(i) the loading, unloading, fuelling or provisioning of a vessel;

(ii) the loading, unloading, fuelling, repair and maintenance of an aircraft on a vessel,

being in either case a vessel which is engaged in pipeline works.

(2) In this paragraph—

“pipeline” means a pipe or system of pipes for the conveyance of any thing, together with—

but not including a pipeline of which no initial or terminal point is situated in the United Kingdom, within the territorial sea adjacent to the United Kingdom, or within a designated area;

“pipeline works” means—

Regulations 6(1) and (2) and 9(1) and (2)

SCHEDULE 2 PARTICULARS TO BE INCLUDED IN A DESIGN NOTIFICATION OR A RELOCATION NOTIFICATION

1.  The name and address of the operator of the installation.

2.  A description of the design process from an initial concept to the submitted design and the design philosophy used to guide the process.

3.  A description of—

(a) the chosen design concept, including suitable diagrams, and a summary of the other design options which were considered;

(b) how the chosen design concept is intended to ensure—

(i) compliance with the requirements set out in regulations 5 and 10 of the Offshore Installations and Wells (Design and Construction, etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996(19); and

(ii) that risks with the potential to cause a major accident are reduced to the lowest level that is reasonably practicable; and

(c) the criteria used to select the chosen design concept and the process by which the selection was made.

4.  A description of—

(a) the principal systems on the installation;

(b) the installation layout;

(c) the process technology to be used;

(d) the principal features of any pipeline;

(e) any petroleum-bearing reservoir intended to be exploited using the installation; and

(f) the basis of design for any wells to be connected to the installation.

5.  A suitable plan of the intended location of the installation and of anything which may be connected to it, and particulars of—

(a) the meteorological and oceanographic conditions to which the installation may foreseeably be subject; and

(b) the properties of the sea-bed and subsoil at its location.

6.  Particulars of the types of operation, and activities in connection with an operation, which the installation may perform.

7.  A general description of the means by which the management system of the operator will ensure that the structure and plant of the installation will be designed, selected, constructed and commissioned in a way which will control major accident risks to comply with the relevant statutory provisions.

8.  A summary of the verification scheme prepared pursuant to regulation 19(2)(b).

9.  Where a non-production installation is to be converted for use as a production installation, an explanation of why the owner considers the installation suitable for conversion.

10.  Where a production installation is to be moved to a new location, an explanation of why the operator considers the installation suitable for the new location.

Regulations 7(1) and 9(5)

SCHEDULE 3 PARTICULARS TO BE INCLUDED IN A SAFETY CASE FOR THE OPERATION OF A PRODUCTION INSTALLATION

1.  The name and address of the operator of the installation.

2.  A description of the extent to which the duty holder has taken into account any matters raised by the Executive pursuant to regulations 6(1) and (4)(a) and 9(1) and (4).

3.  A summary of how any safety representatives for that installation were consulted with regard to the revision, review or preparation of the safety case pursuant to regulation 23(2)(c)(i) of the Offshore Installations (Safety Representatives and Safety Committees) Regulations 1989(20).

4.  A description, with suitable diagrams, of—

(a) the main and secondary structure of the installation and its materials;

(b) its plant;

(c) the layout and configuration of its plant;

(d) the connections to any pipeline or installation; and

(e) any wells connected or to be connected to the installation.

5.  A suitable plan of the location of the installation and of anything connected to it, and particulars of—

(a) the meteorological and oceanographic conditions to which the installation may foreseeably be subjected; and

(b) the properties of the sea-bed and subsoil at its location.

6.  Particulars of the types of operation, and activities in connection with an operation, which the installation is capable of performing.

7.  The maximum number of persons—

(a) expected to be on the installation at any time; and

(b) for whom accommodation is to be provided.

8.  Particulars of the plant and arrangements for the control of well operations, including those—

(a) to control pressure in a well;

(b) to prevent the uncontrolled release of hazardous substances; and

(c) to minimise the effects of damage to subsea equipment by drilling equipment.

9.  A description of any pipeline with the potential to cause a major accident, including—

(a) the fluid which it conveys;

(b) its dimensions and layout;

(c) its contained volume at declared maximum allowable operating pressure; and

(d) any apparatus and works intended to secure safety,

together with a summary of the document prepared under regulation 23 of the Pipelines Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997(21).

10.  A description of how the duty holder has ensured, or will ensure, compliance with regulation 4(1) of the PFEER Regulations.

11.  A description of arrangements made for protecting persons on the installation from toxic gas at all times other than during any period while they may need to remain on the installation following an incident which is beyond immediate control.

12.  A description of the measures taken or to be taken or the arrangements made or to be made for the protection of persons on the installation from hazards of explosion, fire, heat, smoke, toxic gas or fumes during any period while they may need to remain on the installation following an incident which is beyond immediate control and for enabling such persons to be evacuated from the installation where necessary, including provision for—

(a) temporary refuge;

(b) routes from locations where persons may be present to temporary refuge and for egress therefrom to points from where the installation may be evacuated;

(c) means of evacuation at those points; and

(d) facilities within temporary refuge for the monitoring and control of the incident and for organising evacuation.

13.  A description of the main requirements in the specification for the design of the installation and its plant, which shall include—

(a) any limits for safe operation or use specified therein;

(b) a description of how the duty holder has ensured, or will ensure, compliance with regulation 4 of the Offshore Installations and Wells (Design and Construction, etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996;

(c) a description of how the duty holder has ensured, or will ensure, the suitability of the safety-critical elements; and

(d) a description of how the duty holder—

(i) where he is also the operator in relation to a pipeline, has ensured, or will ensure, compliance with regulation 11 of the Pipelines Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997; or

(ii) where he is not also the operator in relation to a pipeline, has co-operated or will co-operate with the operator in relation to a pipeline to ensure compliance with regulation 11 of the Pipelines Safety Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997.

14.  Particulars of any combined operations which may involve the installation, including—

(a) a summary of the arrangements in place for co-ordinating the management systems of all duty holders involved in any such combined operation;

(b) a summary of the arrangements in place for a joint review of the safety aspects of any such combined operation by all duty holders involved, which shall include the identification of hazards with the potential to cause a major accident and the assessment of risks which may arise during any such combined operation;

(c) the plant likely to be used during any such combined operation; and

(d) the likely impact any such combined operation may have on the installations involved.

Regulation 8

SCHEDULE 4 PARTICULARS TO BE INCLUDED IN A SAFETY CASE FOR A NON-PRODUCTION INSTALLATION

1.  The name and address of the owner of the installation.

2.  A summary of how any safety representatives for that installation were consulted with regard to the revision, review or preparation of the safety case pursuant to regulation 23(2)(c)(i) of the Offshore Installations (Safety Representatives and Safety Committees) Regulations 1989.

3.  A description, with suitable diagrams, of—

(a) the main and secondary structure of the installation and its materials;

(b) its plant; and

(c) the layout and configuration o