Key programme final reports

KP3 Review

At a Parliamentary debate on 2 July 2008 to mark the 20th Anniversary of the Piper Alpha Disaster, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions commissioned HSE to review the progress made by the UK offshore oil and gas industry in addressing the issues identified by the KP3 work.

HSE's Offshore Division undertook the review, with input and co-operation from key industry stakeholders, including trade unions and industry trade associations. This report presents the results of the review.

Key Programme 1: hydrocarbon release campaign

This initiative, in 2000-2001, investigated all reported offshore hydrocarbon releases. The report documents the initial findings. The main objectives were:

  • to analyse the size, type and causes of the releases
  • to provide information useful to industry and OSD about ways of reducing the number of releases

Key Programme 2: deck and drilling operations

This programme was initiated in 2003 in response to unacceptable accident statistics from deck and drilling operations. The programme was reviewed in 2005, which resulted in a closer focus on the management of lifting operations within these two areas of activity, lifting operations having been seen to contribute significantly to fatalities and major injuries.

Key Programme 3: asset integrity

This programme focused on asset integrity and ran between 2004 and 2007. Asset integrity is defined as the ability of an asset to perform its required function effectively and efficiently while protecting health, safety and the environment.

Documents used to assist the KP3 programme

Examples of good practice identified during KP3 inspections

Key Programme 4: Ageing and Life extension programme

This programme investigated the impact of ageing and life extension on the risk of major accidents involving the death or serious personal injury to people on an offshore installation.

Updated 2021-02-17