OSRL can help to facilitate one via a network of well-established response organisations that ensures – as far as is practicable – a turnkey solution for our members

Through the Global Subsea Response Network (GSRN), OSRL’s SWIS members are able to leverage the collective expertise of the network’s partners. Benefiting from the experience of the world-leading authorities to develop complete SCERPs or any individual element, SWIS membership ensures that plans are aligned with global best practice and all relevant regulatory requirements, regardless of location.

SWIS membership provides access to the four capping stack systems, which have been designed by the leading industry experts to provide the means to safely soft shut in the majority of anticipated worst-case flow rates. Members are entitled to mobilise two of the four capping stacks in the event of an incident which ensures redundancy in the service for other members.

The modular designed units can be configured for a variety of subsea interface requirements, and can be transported by land, sea or air. They are designed for use to a maximum depth of 3800 m and include chemical injection points for direct dispersant injection to mitigate the formation of hydrates. It is suitable for both exploration and production wells, and can safely contain, choke and cap up to 100,000 bpd flow in a controlled manner.

The dedicated containment toolkit is designed to supplement standard industry well test hardware, creating a containment system similar to a temporary subsea production system. It comprises long-lead equipment, not readily available in the industry, and minimises response times by allowing a well operator to draw on existing resources when responding.

This toolkit provides an opportunity to further develop existing subsea well response capabilities and complements members’ subscription to the capping stack system. If well shut-in is not possible, the subsea well containment toolkit can be deployed to enable the flow of hydrocarbons from the capping stack to an offloading tanker. The containment toolkit system configurations have been designed to aid rapid deployment of the equipment, with the majority of the equipment packed in intermodal units ready for transport by road, sea or air.

SWIS OIE membership allows members access to the Offset Installation Equipment stored in Trieste, Italy at a Saipem shorebase. The OIE was designed for use where vertical access to the incident well is not possible due to a hydrocarbon plume at the surface, usually in shallow water locations (limited to 75-600 m water depth).

The OIE enables responding personnel to remove debris or install capping or related equipment at a safe offset distance from an incident site.

• OIE can be deployed up to 500 m offset from an incident site
• Suitable for use in a working depth range of 75–600 m
• Compatible with OSRL’s capping equipment

Stored and maintained in Aberdeen, this capping service provides members access to the OSPRAG capping stack, along with the proven logistical expertise to mobilise it to the port of departure. The OSPRAG cap is ring fenced to the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS) only.

The OSPRAG capping device was designed for wells in the UKCS. It features a transition adaptor designed to make the device suitable for the most common BOP and lower marine riser package connector interfaces in the UKCS.

Both SWIS capping stacks in Norway and Singapore can be air-freighted on an Antonov AN-124 and transported fully assembled, maintaining pressure integrity and avoiding the risks involved in disassembly and reassembly operations. This configuration significantly reduces the mobilisation time and risks associated with assembly and testing at destination.

For wells in more remote areas and for members looking to secure drilling licenses in new or remote exploration locations, this is a vital addition to OSRL’s subsea capping and containment offering.

With a fleet of 19 AN-124 aircraft available worldwide, this allows members to execute a more reliable and more efficient mobilisation during an incident.

OSRL’s SWIS members benefit from the provision of Sea/response, a vessel identification software platform which uses its patented technology to identify and monitor vessels of opportunity and equipment.

Sea/response has been tailored to SWIS members’ specifications by using the SWRP Capping & Containment Guidelines in depth description of mission planning and vessel of opportunity requirements. This allows the member to identify installation and field support vessels capable of supporting capping and containment, offset installation equipment and relief well drilling - further enhancing operational preparedness envelope globally.

SWIS members can utilise the experience and knowledge of OSRL to help develop complete (or any portion of) Source Control Emergency Response Plans (SCERPs) to ensure that all lines of communication and interfaces between all involved parties are defined. Preparing a SCERP is a major activity, but so is practicing the procedures and protocols outlined in the SCERP. Tabletop exercises, practice drills and full scale mobilisation exercises should be regularly completed to ensure viability of the SCERP and ensure personnel assigned to the tasks are familiar with their required response activities and duties.

SWIS exercises bring together the key personnel likely to be involved in a real incident, helping to develop working relationships, and encouraging effective teamwork. Exercises can be tailored to meet specific requirements, such as to assess for gaps in capabilities or test the scope of supply from the OSRL equipment stockpile with a detailed Response Time Model (RTM). OSRL can also coordinate and combine technical exercises with incident management and command systems.