§ Mr. BrazierTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if all the offshore oil and gas safety cases were received by the deadline of 30 November; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Michael ForsythUnder the Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations 1992, all existing fixed and mobile offshore installations operating on the United Kingdom continental shelf were required to submit a safety case to the Health and Safety Executive by 30 November. As at 1 December, all the expected 215 safety cases had been received; 214 arrived on or before 30 November; one was delayed in transit from Norway.
The number of installations originally expected to be covered was 221; however, some of the safety cases received cover more than one installation; for example, unmanned installations linked to another central installation.
One mobile installation was not expected to submit a safety case because it was due to leave the United Kingdom continental shelf before 30 November. Its departure has been slightly delayed because of operating requirements but it will be leaving shortly. It is not being asked to submit a safety case.