The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016

Establishment of a well examination scheme

11.—(1) The well operator shall establish a scheme (a “well examination scheme”) for ensuring, by the means described in paragraph (2), that the well is so designed and constructed, and is maintained in such repair and condition, that—

(a) so far as is reasonably practicable, there can be no unplanned escape of fluids from the well; and

(b) risks to the health and safety of persons from it or anything in it, or in strata to which it is connected, are as low as is reasonably practicable.

(2) The means are—

(a) examination, by a well examiner of—

(i) any part of the well, or a similar well;

(ii) information, including information on the design and construction of the well and the sub-surface environment, including the geological strata and formations, the fluids within them and any hazards which the strata and formations may contain;

(iii) work in progress;

(b) the creation of reports by a well examiner on—

(i) the examination carried out;

(ii) the findings;

(iii) any remedial action recommended;

(c) the taking of appropriate action by the well operator following a report;

(d) the making of a note of action taken by the well operator following a report;

(e) the reporting by a well examiner to the well operator of any instances of non-compliance of the well operator with the standards of the scheme;

(f) the taking of other such steps as may be provided for pursuant to regulation 12 and Part 2 of Schedule 5; and

(g) the taking of any steps incidental to the means described in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e).

(3) The well operator shall record the well examination scheme in writing.

(4) The duties in paragraphs (1) and (3) shall be completed before the design of a well is adopted.