Standardization—Norwegian Experience by NIFO—Norsk Industriforening for Oljeselskap (Norwegian Industry Association for Oil Companies)

Abstract

In the development of offshore oil and gas deposits, coordination of effort between those involved in all phases of the activity has generally been a dynamic process. Depending on the location, several groupings of the main parties have evolved, usually consisting of Government, operators and contractors. These groupings eventually stabilize and establish particular functions with clearly defined areas of responsibility and influence. In the USA, for example, the various government agencies have established positions, as have the operators through API and diving contractors with ADC, while in the UK the positions of the Departments of Energy and of transport, the UK OOA and the Association of Offshore Diving Contractors (AODC) are well known. International bodies such as the E. and P. Forum, IADC, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) are also involved in various areas of offshore oil- and gas- related diving. In general, the main course of these industrial and governmental groups has been towards the development of standards, whether through regulations, guidelines, approved lists or other means. In Norway, a similar pattern has evolved with four main units representing Government, operators, contractors and trades union. As in most other offshore areas, this evolution has been gradual, but has been based on Norway’s well-established broad industrial and social-relations principles and the previous experience of operators and contractors.