At most facilities, the company physician is responsible for the daily monitoring of water quality, which is part of their job responsibilities. In the past, this meant routinely sending water samples to laboratories onshore, which naturally had to be coordinated with the helicopter’s flight schedule. At many locations, this limits sampling to two specific days per week. In cases where urgent testing is needed outside these times, a costly special helicopter flight must be arranged; otherwise, the samples will be delayed. With this approach, the quality of the results depends entirely on the care and accuracy of the sampling process and on the variable handling and logistics involved in transporting the samples to the testing facility.
Normec OWM has determined that this approach has an inherent weakness, as there are limitations on when sampling can take place and confidence in the results is ultimately low. Any corrective actions taken based on the results are implemented after the fact and take considerably longer than what would be considered effective. The effectiveness of the corrective measures, assessed using the same approach, is also less than ideal and can by no means be considered proactive management.
At a site supported by Normec OWM, the company physician (through field tests) observed an increase in general bacterial contamination in the hot-water system. With greater confidence in the results, the medical staff member, supported by Normec OWM, was motivated to launch an investigation to understand the impact and source of the contamination and, if necessary, determine the best set of corrective measures to implement.
Thanks to the ability to effectively verify findings through the Normec OWM field testing process, the medical staff member determined the following:
From conducting the initial on-site analysis, identifying the potential problem, and implementing corrective actions, through to confirming the effectiveness of those actions, the process was completed within 72 hours. By comparison, another site using a sampling process on the mainland would still be unaware that there is a problem.
What was particularly encouraging in this specific case was that the user felt empowered to take proactive action. This was achieved solely thanks to Normec OWM’s field-oriented approach, which gave the medical staff the confidence, knowledge, and authority to act quickly enough to completely resolve the issue.
Whether it’s monitoring, permits, quality controls, or complex environmental issues, together we provide reliable insights you can rely on with confidence.
As a global leader in fully integrated water management services for the oil and gas and maritime sectors, we often find that our clients are simply looking for a hassle-free way to comply with drinking water regulations.
At Normec OWM, we are proud of our more than 15 years of engineering experience in the offshore energy sector. Over the years, we have experienced firsthand just how challenging it can be to find the right water management solutions. That is why we have gone the extra mile to secure exclusive access to leading manufacturers from around the world as part of our Technical Supply service.
Normec OWM offers consultation, analysis, advice, products, and operational execution to create a comprehensive water management service with the expertise needed to ensure the client’s complete confidence. With extensive experience in managing drinking water systems during the reactivation of drilling platforms, Normec OWM is highly skilled at overcoming the typical risks associated with such projects.
