How can you align drilling risk management with HSE policies?

1 Understand the HSE context

Before you start planning and executing your drilling risk management activities, you need to understand the HSE context of your project. This means considering the legal, regulatory, contractual, and ethical requirements and expectations that apply to your drilling operations, as well as the stakeholder interests and concerns that could affect your reputation and social license to operate. By understanding the HSE context, you can align your drilling risk management objectives and strategies with the relevant HSE policies and standards, and ensure that you comply with them throughout the project lifecycle.

2 Conduct a comprehensive HSE risk assessment

A comprehensive HSE risk assessment is the foundation of any effective drilling risk management process. It involves identifying and evaluating the potential hazards and impacts that could arise from your drilling activities, such as blowouts, spills, fires, explosions, injuries, illnesses, or environmental damage. You should use a systematic and consistent method to assess the likelihood and severity of each risk, and to prioritize them according to their significance and urgency. A comprehensive HSE risk assessment will help you align your drilling risk management actions and resources with the HSE policies and standards that address the most critical risks.

3 Implement appropriate HSE risk controls

Once you have identified and prioritized the HSE risks associated with your drilling activities, you need to implement appropriate HSE risk controls to prevent or reduce them. HSE risk controls are the measures and actions that you take to eliminate or minimize the hazards and impacts that could affect your drilling operations. They can include engineering controls, such as designing and installing safety devices and systems; administrative controls, such as developing and enforcing procedures and protocols; and personal protective equipment, such as wearing helmets and gloves. You should implement the HSE risk controls in accordance with the HSE policies and standards that prescribe the best practices and performance criteria for your drilling operations.

4 Monitor and review HSE risk performance

Finally, you need to monitor and review your HSE risk performance to ensure that your drilling risk management process is effective and aligned with the HSE policies and standards. This means collecting and analyzing data and information on the outcomes and impacts of your drilling activities, such as incident reports, audits, inspections, feedback, or indicators. You should use this data and information to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of your HSE risk controls, and to identify any gaps, weaknesses, or opportunities for improvement. You should also use this data and information to communicate and report your HSE risk performance to your stakeholders, and to demonstrate your compliance and commitment to the HSE policies and standards.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?