NOPSEMA regulatory action - Inpex Ichthys project

Due to heightened media interest regarding the Ichthys project, NOPSEMA has determined that it is in the public interest to publish information in relation to electrical equipment issues at the Ichthys facilities. 

On 3 August 2018, NOPSEMA issued a General Direction to INPEX Operations Australia Pty Ltd in relation to electrical equipment at the Central Processing Facility Ichthys Explorer and the Floating Production Storage and Offloading Ichthys Venturer.

Specifically, NOPSEMA required INPEX to take the following actions to protect the health and safety of the workforce at the facilities:

• demonstrate to NOPSEMA that all electrical equipment sited in hazardous areas or areas that could become hazardous is safe to operate when exposed to hydrocarbons prior to the electrical equipment being put into service; and
• ensure that until this electrical equipment is verified as safe in an energised state, that the affected electrical equipment cannot be exposed to hydrocarbons during normal operations or during an emergency.

As a result of the Direction, INPEX isolated areas where electrical equipment risks were identified.

NOPSEMA continued to conduct inspections throughout the commissioning phase, and has conducted 16 inspections of the Ichthys facilities over the last 18 months.

Categories:

• occupational health & safety