Abstract
The paper presents an example on how to apply the iNTeg-Risk Emerging Risk Management Framework (ERMF) for drilling in Arctic. In order to meet rising energy demands, the offshore petroleum industry is moving further north to the Arctic area. The arctic and sub-arctic areas including the Barents Sea pose risks to personnel, the environment and assets. A major concern with respect to drilling in Arctic is a large oil spill of the type of Exxon Valdez or Deepwater Horizon, or perhaps a situation which is even more difficult to control that has not been experienced or foreseen so far. Some specific factors or challenges that influence the risks related to petroleum activity in these areas are: (1)the harsh and extreme weather conditions such as icing, low temperature, darkness, polar lows; (2) the extra remoteness and long distance from shore; and (3) lack of infrastructure. The paper presents results applying the 10 steps given in the iNTeg-Risk ERMF. The case study recommends to (1) apply a gradual/stepwise approach to the exploitation of the arctic area, with a maximum of learning and improvement from the previous/last development project, irrespective of company or country, (2) apply an industry wide process with a shared responsibility between all the involved oil companies and countries/ authorities, and (3) monitor the degree to which the involved companies and authorities know and have learned from incidents occurring in other companies/other continental shelves as they move north.
