| Country: |
Norway |
| Organisation: |
The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) |
| Regime Scope: |
The PSA is the relevant agency responsible for safety, emergency preparedness and the working environment in the petroleum industry. The regime applies to offshore installations and operations, as well as to some associated onshore processing plants/refineries. |
| Administering Agency /Arrangements: |
The PSA is an independent government agency, which reports to and gives advice to the Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion. |
| Legislation Type: |
Acts, Royal Decrees and Regulations. These formulate requirements in a goal setting fashion. The requirements are extensively substantiated by referencing recognised national and international standards. |
| Extent Of Government Approval: |
The PSA does not approve any plans or applications as such, but requires duty holders to apply for its consent to commence/carry out various petroleum industrial activities/operations (specified by requirements of the regulations). |
| Nature Of Duties Imposed: |
All companies have a general duty to ensure compliance with statutory rules and regulations as well as their own, set requirements for their activities. The supervisory activities of the PSA do not exempt the duty holders of this duty. |
| Physical Objects In The Regime: |
Offshore and onshore installations. These include production installations, FPSO’s, MODU’s, flotels, sub sea arrangements, pipelines and processing plants. Also, the main function of pipe laying barges, lifting barges, diving and other support vessels are regulated by the regime. |
| Assurance Mechanisms: |
Government inspectorate. |
| Financial Basis: |
Government general budget allocation. Expenses related to regulatory supervision, such as working hours and travel expenses, are refunded by the duty holders. They are being paid into the Treasury. Typically, this amounts to about 40% of the total operational budget. |
| Profile Author: |
Odd Bjerre Finnestad |
| Profile Date: |
7 February 2007 |
