| dc.description.abstract | The offshore industry has been, and still is, one of the most important industries for economic and industrial development in Norway. Considering the important role this industry plays, combined with the potential hazardous consequences of faulty equipment or human error on offshore operations, the development of well-functioning risk management regimes is integral. One such risk management regime is the act of performing audits. To prevent any undesirable consequences, audits are conducted regularly, both on an internal, external, and authority level. While there are many risks related to offshore activities, risks related to PSVs are of particular importance as these represent the last safety barrier on offshore platforms. As such, this dissertation attempts to evaluate whether audits conducted on PSVs in the offshore industry on the Norwegian continental shelf are in line with academic risk theory.
This research project is based on actors working on or within the limits of NCS on an authority-, operator-, and supplier level. The aim of this dissertation is to explore the conceptual understanding found within the industry, as well as evaluate the current framework for audits in the offshore industry to determine whether it can be considered risk-based from an academic risk theory perspective, or not. While the project does not aim to create aim to create a new framework, it does attempt to provide guidelines for further development.
The main findings of this dissertation indicate that while the documents on their own cannot be considered risk-based, audits of PSVs on the NCS can be considered risk-based and in line with academic risk theory as a holistic process between the levels. However, this is a vulnerable process that can quickly deteriorate. Another issue identified is the difference in understanding the risk concept, which indicated a sectorial problem related to the successful implementation of a consensus within the industry.
This dissertation found that further research on this topic is needed and identified three important topics which may need resolve. These topics relate to the ambiguity of conceptual understanding within the industry, experience-based learning which may lead to the dilution of knowledge over time, and the further development of standards.
Keywords: Risk, audits, PSV, offshore, regulations, PSA, risk tolerability | |
