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Notifications

Relevant Statutes:

  • Management and Administration Regulations 1992 [MAR]
  • Safety Case Regulations 1992 [SCR]
  • Offshore Installations and Wells (Design and Construction, etc.) Regulations 1996 [DCR]

Change of Duty Holder

Where there is a change of duty holder the new duty holder shall not operate the installation until he has notified the HSE's Offshore Safety Division of:

  • the date of change of duty holders
  • the name and address of the new duty holder
  • if that address is outside Great Britain an address in Great Britain to which communications to him can be sent

If this information has already been provided in, say, a material change to the safety case there is no need to repeat the notification.

Notifications must be in writing. Fax or other electronic means are acceptable

Notification of Well Operation

The HSE must be notified of certain well operations at least 21 days prior to commencement. It is an offence to commence operations within the 21 day notification period. The Duty Holder shall ensure that the drilling of a well (and for a mobile installation, any well operations) shall not commence until at least 21 days after notifying the HSE.

Particulars required in the notification include:

1 . Operators details
2. particulars of fluids to be used to control the well
3. particulars of any plant not described in the safety case which is to be used
4. particulars of type of well, its number, slot number and name of field
5. scale diagrams and particulars of -

  • the location of the top of the well
  • the directional path of the well bore
  • the terminal depth and location its position
  • the terminal depth and location of nearby wells, relative to each other

6. A description of the operations on the well or involved in the drilling of the well, and a programme of works which includes-

  • commencement and finish dates
  • the intended operational state of the well at the end of the operations

7. A description of-

  • any simultaneous activities with the potential to cause a major accident
  • the hazards associated with such simultaneous activities


8. For a well which is to be drilled -

  • geological data and any hazards with the potential to cause a major accident
  • procedures for monitoring the direction of the well-bore and minimising the likelihood and effects of intersecting nearby wells
  • a description of the design of the well, including its safe operational use

9. In the case of an existing well-

  • a diagram of the well, its state of repair and its physical condition
  • a summary of earlier operations and the purposes for which it has been used
  • its current operational state and its production capacity

10. For a mobile installation

  • the foreseeable meteorological and oceanographic conditions
  • the depth of water and the properties of the sea bed
  • particulars of the arrangements with the operator for managing the operation

Note: particulars to be included in notification of well operations from a vessel that is not an installation see schedule 6A of the Safety Case Regulations

Weekly reports

The Well Operator shall ensure a report is sent to the HSE, every week or other agreed intervals. comprising the following information:

  • the identifying and slot number of the well
  • the name of installation or vessel involved
  • a summary of activity since the previous report
  • the diameter, TVD and MD of any holes drilled or casing installed
  • the mud density immediately before making the report
  • for existing, wells, its operational state (drilling, workover, completed, suspended etc)

The reporting requirements apply to:

  • a drilling operation
  • a workover operation
  • an abandonment operation
  • an operation consisting in the completion of a well
  • any other operation involving substantial risk of the unplanned escape of fluids.

Mobile Installations

Duty Holders must notify, in writing, the HSE's offshore Safety Division when they are due to enter or leave relevant waters. Notification must not be later than the date on which the installation is due to enter/leave.

Notifications must be in writing. Fax or other electronic means are acceptable.

Recommended further reading:

  • Reporting of offshore installation movements. rev.ed., HSE, 1999. (Operations notice 6). Available on subscription from HSE Books. Published September 1999
    Guidance on how to report offshore installation movements.

ronnie.mcdonald@mac.com