Industry leaders operating in the offshore oil and gas space in the Gulf of Mexico must contend with a number of key challenges to maximise HSE performance. (Image Source: Canva Pro)

Industry leaders operating in the offshore oil and gas space in the Gulf of Mexico must contend with a number of key challenges to maximise HSE performance, some of these emanate from the nature of the industry, others to the unique character of the North American regulatory environment

Some of the key principle challenges include:

• High risk nature of industry: Employees working within the offshore oil and gas industry can be exposed to a range of dangers including unsafe substances, noise, vibration, radiations, extreme temperatures, and ergonomic hazards. Historically, oil and gas extraction workers in the US face elevated fatal occupational injury rates seven-times higher than all other US workers, according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, although fatality rates have been dropping –especially offshore in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon reaction.
• Evolving regulations: The legislative reaction to the Deepwater Horizon disaster brought in a wave of procedures, rules and regulations to tighten up offshore operations with the aim of preventing incidents that could cause harm to workers and the environment. In recent years these have been pulled either way by different administrations and appear constantly under scrutiny. Those regulations for meeting HSE obligations have expressed it can be difficult to keep up and ensure the entire workforce it aligned when the rules are consistently shifting. It can also require significant investment in technology and practices to ensure compliance with new standards.
• Getting workers on board: HSE strategies can only be effective if employees are fully engaged and participate in the delivery of a safety culture. “Safety culture is an integral component of any high-risk industry, and its significance for oil rig operations cannot be overstated,” as stated in a report by Lyons & Simmons around oil rig safety in the US. “It encompasses the attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and values that employees share in relation to safety within an organisation […] by prioritising safety in every decision and operation, companies can significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents and create a safer workforce for all employees.” Without workers buying into compliant programmes – and incorporating it into every action they take – a successful safety culture cannot be achieved.
• Covid hangover: The global pandemic had a profound effect on the offshore oil and gas industry, particularly in regards to the workforce with a high turnover leading to skills shortages. In regards to HSE, the persisting problem is translating into a lack of experience within the field, with leaders suggesting it can be challenging to get new recruits to recognise the importance of practicing safe working at all times, especially with experienced staff no longer around to provide guidance. The high number of short-term contractor staff also feeds in here; it can be challenging to get them aligned with operator standards.
• Ageing assets: SLB data shows that productive fields and reservoirs around the world are maturing with more than two-thirds of wells expected to be over 10 years old by 2030. This challenge is all too familiar in the Gulf of Mexico which is one of the world’s oldest offshore oil producing regions. Older assets and equipment typically pose a greater incident risk due to factors such as deterioration, lack of familiarity, difficulty obtaining repair parts and losses of critical information. As one of the biggest sources of offshore incidents, ageing assets is a leading cause of HSE breaches and is therefore identified as a primary concern for industry leaders.

The above is an extra from Offshore Network’s Gulf of Mexico: Health, Safety & Environment Report 2024 which can be downloaded here.

President Trump’s first term had a significant impact on HSE: deregulation and policy shifts hoped to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses, often at the expense of stricter HSE oversight.

Beyond mere strategic priorities, Trump made tangible impacts with the rollback of several regulations from preceding administrations; rollbacks that continue to impact how operators approach legislation and standards. Throughout their first term, Trump & co. reduced the extent of OSHA inspections and potentially delayed the implementation of new safety standards in construction and oil and gas.

While these shifts undoubtedly played a starring role in President Trump's broader mission to streamline operations, reduce project lead-in times (especially in the energy sector) and minimise business costs, many still feel that worker protections were eroded to a degree that they have yet to recover fully from, four years on from the successive administration's inauguration.

In the case of over 100 environmental protections that the New York Times found were rolled back or restricted in breadth, many will argue that, beyond worker protections, the planet paid the price, too.

As Donald Trump is inaugurated for his second term in office, industries should anticipate further deregulation and policies favoring economic growth over stringent oversight.

In the face of such rollbacks, the industry may see current CSR and ESG strategies pushed to the wayside in favour of the lower operating costs and project efficiencies granted by a less-regulated environment. Federal policy changes, and businesses' reaction to them, will become even more critical to project success: those reacting quickest to them will likely be the most efficient, profitable and, in the eyes of many organisations, successful.

Whether short-term cost savings (courtesy of deregulation) cannibalise long-term HSE, ESG and CSR strategies, or businesses hold strong on their ambitious commitments, the sustainability and safety spheres are undoubtedly in for a transformative second Trump term.

VR training allows employees to be exposed to hazardous scenarios in a safe environment. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

GlobalData’s latest report 'Virtual Reality in Oil and Gas' highlights the safety benefits of virtual reality (VR) training in the industry, from rigs and pipelines to refineries

Oil and gas companies are now investing in training modules for the workforce and visualising the asset under consideration for planning and decision making.

Ravindra Puranik, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, said, "VR enhances operational safety through immersive training programmes. It can help develop safety procedures at production facilities to address smaller accidents as well as for emergency response."

Companies such as Shell, bp, Chevron, and ExxonMobil, are using VR as a cost-effective option to train their employees in critical oil and gas operations. This provides a highly safe and cost-efficient approach to introducing personnel to a new facility. These sessions usually entail virtual walk-throughs, away from heavy industrial equipment.

Hazardous environments

Puranik said, “Industry technicians work in hazardous environments, such as offshore rigs or at a densely packed equipment maze in a refinery. VR can be used to relay important information and instructions to the technician onsite, without the need to fly out experts to that location or carrying detailed instruction manuals for referencing.”

VR plays a key role in the digital twin set up, helping companies recreate scenarios through detailed simulations. During planning and development, the collaborating teams can share information using VR to simulate various scenarios. It is useful in optimising equipment performance and maximising the asset life. Digital twins help to design workflows and identify bottlenecks to optimise a plant’s performance. Twins also help to create a 3D visualisation of the seismic data using VR simulations.

Puranik concluded, “Various aspects of a production platform can be modelled through VR simulations to enhance the understanding of personnel for on-field tasks. They can simulate the processes using VR before implementing on the operational floor. It thus reduces the scope for human errors during critical operations. Besides, designers and engineers can better visualise the layout under development using VR technology. This can potentially help to improve designs, and carefully plan its execution to optimise the project costs.”

In a case study cited by immersive technology provider immerse.io, Shell wanted to simulate an accidental overspill on a storage tanker, requiring the trainee to follow the appropriate procedures to extinguish the fire. immerse.io designed a VR programme, challenging trainees to solve the problem using their existing knowledge and skills with no instructions or advance warnings, as in a real-world scenario. Decoy objects test decision-making whilst realistic sounds and hi-res visuals recreate the intensity of a real-life situation. Assessors can control the whole experience and trigger actions such as a fire at any time, resulting in a dynamic and variable simulation.

United Rentals introduces interactive excavation safety training to enhance compliance, reduce risks, and improve jobsite productivity. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

United Rentals, Inc., the leading global equipment rental company, has introduced the Excavation Safety Training for Competent Persons Program, offering an innovative approach to trench and excavation safety

This program aims to improve compliance and productivity through interactive learning activities that equip participants with practical knowledge for managing one of construction’s most hazardous tasks.

The training supports competent persons—those responsible for excavation safety—and assists employers and workers in understanding and applying OSHA Standard 29 CFR Part 1926 Subpart P. It provides advanced insights into topics such as soil evaluation, protective systems, and interpreting safety standards.

Available through United Academy, the program offers multiple learning formats, including in-person sessions, virtual instructor-led classes, and e-learning modules. With engaging features like virtual reality simulations and hazard hunts, the program sets a benchmark for safety training across industries like infrastructure, oil and gas, and utilities.

“Working below ground, and building underground structures and utilities is demanding and requires relevant up-to-date safety training. Leading-edge training takes the information and classroom lessons to the field, which helps promote safe and compliant jobsites,” said Todd Hayes, region vice president – Trench Safety, United Rentals. “Our revised program will help our customers foster a culture of safety, while reducing risks and improving jobsite results.”

Created in collaboration with Mosaic Learning, the platform incorporates knowledge assessments, simulation exercises, and interactive learning activities designed for adult learners. It also integrates the United Rentals Trench Safety app, offering tools like a slope calculator and OSHA resources on iOS and Android.

United Rentals Trench Safety Solutions

United Rentals Trench Safety delivers efficient safety solutions for worksites through underground services and training. With 92+ trench safety locations and North America's largest fleet of shoring and underground excavation rental equipment, the company offers customised, cost-effective solutions. Its offerings include OSHA-compliant trench protection systems, such as shoring, shielding, lasers, and optical instruments. United Rentals also provides pre-bid protective system analysis, on-site consultations, and engineering design support.

77% expect rising health and safety expectations among prospective employees. (Image source: Canva)

The global health, safety, and environment (HSE) landscape is experiencing significant growth.

On one side, unprecedented efforts are being channelled into tackling the climate crisis, with the international community steadfastly pursuing net-zero ambitions.

On the other, the focus on worker health and safety has intensified, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite substantial progress in occupational health and safety, work-related injuries and fatalities remain alarmingly high.

According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), work-related fatalities accounted for 6.71% of global deaths, while an estimated 374 million workers suffered non-fatal occupational accidents.

In a landmark move, the ILO has incorporated “a safe and healthy working environment” into its Fundamental Principles and Rights framework, underscoring its commitment to preventing workplace injuries and diseases.

Adding to the discourse, Environmental Resources Management (ERM) published its ERM 2024 Global Health and Safety Survey, which highlighted increasing investments in health and safety, stronger leadership engagement, and greater utilisation of technology and data analytics.

Notable findings include 94% of health and safety leaders reporting heightened stakeholder expectations over the past three years, with 80% anticipating further increases across all sectors and regions in the next three years.

Additionally, 77% expect rising health and safety expectations among prospective employees.

While 81% of participants acknowledged improved leadership engagement in health and safety over the past three years, only 7% felt that sufficient time was being dedicated to the topic.

To bridge this gap, 85% of respondents plan to invest in safety leadership initiatives within the next three years, signalling a clear shift towards prioritising health and safety at the leadership level.