The paper describes available information about eight accidents worldwide related to the stability of petroleum units since 2000. A further seven stability incidents in Norway during the same period are also described. These accidents and incidents are used as cases for an evaluation of the existing Norwegian regulations on the stability of floating offshore petroleum units.
The accidents and incidents are grouped in categories based on the causes, and examples are given for each group.
The paper describes which Norwegian requirements could have prevented the accidents if they are complied with. Most of the accidents have involved deviations from the Norwegian regulations. Compliance with Norwegian regulations and (high-level) standards would cover most of the accident scenarios. However, some changes in the regulations have been found necessary. The paper describes these amendments, and the reasoning behind them.
