UK oil and gas safety partnerships Step Change in Safety and the Asset Integrity Steering Group have named new co-chairs.
Steve Bullock, senior vice president of health, safety, security, environment and integrity assurance at Petrofac will join Shell’s Ken Robertson as co-chair of Step Change.
Replacing him as co-chair at Asset Integrity is Alan Johnstone, operations director with engineering consultancy Amec.
“I am delighted to take up this latest role as I believe that asset integrity is fundamental to the safety of this industry,” said Johnstone, who brings 20 years of industry experience to the role.
“There has never been a better time for us all to work together to continue to improve, for the good of everyone in the North Sea.”
Bullock will now focus on on workforce involvement, helicopter safety and asset integrity issues, with the main aim of reducing hydrocarbon releases in the industry.
“I’m delighted to have been appointed as co-chair and look forward to working with stakeholders from all parts of industry and of course the first class Step Change team to address the challenges that affect our industry,” he said.
Meanwhile Step Change in Safety has challenged the industry to halve hydrocarbon releases within the next three years.
Offshore hydrocarbon releases have been reduced by 50% between 2010-2013, thanks to the “collaborative effort” of the industry, Step Change reported.
But the partnership leaders warned hydrocarbons still have a huge impact on asset integrity in the industry.
“It is important to recognise this is an aggressive target but it is one which I am confident will drive the further step change in the level of engagement between senior leaders and the workforce,” said Geoff Holmes, co-chair of the Asset Integrity Steering Group.