The Offshore Lifeline: Detailed SOP and Safety Management for Personnel Transfer on Oil and Gas Platforms (Southeast Asia O and G Case Studies)

Executive Summary: Process Management to Minimize Risk

Personnel transfer safety management in the Malaysian and Singaporean offshore Oil and Gas (O and G) sectors is a system engineering challenge. Transfer operations involve high-risk aviation (helicopter) and maritime (vessel) domains, where failure at any point can lead to catastrophic consequences. Professional safety management requires companies to translate international best practices into platform-specific, detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring every transfer is controlled and predictable.

I. Helicopter Personnel Transfer SOP and Checklist (Helicopter Transfer Procedures)

Helicopter transfer is the fastest mode but demands the highest standards for weather and deck management.

1. Pre-Transfer Preparation and Authorization (Pre-Transfer and Permit)

2. Flight Deck Operations Management (Helideck Operations)

• Deck Cleanliness: The HLO must personally inspect the helideck, ensuring it is free of loose tools, bolts, hats, or debris. All areas adjacent to the deck must be clear. This is crucial for preventing FOD ingestion into the engine.

• HLO Role: The HLO is the sole authority on the helideck. They are responsible for guiding the helicopter via clear radio and light signals, and for supervising the positioning and behavior of all deck personnel during take-off and landing.

• Boarding Area: Passengers must only board upon the HLO's command, after the main rotor blades have completely stopped and are secured, entering via the designated safe walkway. Carrying any loose items that could be swept up by airflow is strictly prohibited.

II. Marine Transfer SOP and Personnel Basket Operations (Marine Transfer Procedures)

Vessel transfer (often using a personnel basket or net) risks are concentrated around collision between the vessel and platform structure and swinging during the lift.

1. Vessel Docking and Stabilization

2. Personnel Basket Operating Standards

• Equipment Check: The Rigger must inspect the main sling assembly, safety hooks, basket frame, and the shock-absorbing pad at the bottom of the basket daily. The crane must also be checked for abnormal wear.

• Three Points of Contact Principle: Personnel must maintain Three Points of Contact (e.g., two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand) on the platform or vessel until the basket is lifted or safely landed.

• Lift Control: The Crane Operator must execute slow, smooth, and deliberate movements. During hoisting or lowering, they must avoid sudden stops or jerks. If the basket begins to swing violently, the operator must immediately halt the operation and wait for stability before proceeding.

• Platform Command: The Signaler must stand in a safe, highly visible position and use two-way radio to maintain synchronization with both the Crane Operator and the Vessel Master.

III. In-Depth Warning: Real Incidents Caused by Procedure Failure

The following cases highlight the severe consequences of procedural lapses during personnel transfer, serving as critical lessons for Singaporean and Malaysian O and G operators.

Case Analysis 1: Helicopter Deck FOD Incident (Sarawak, 2013)

• Incident Summary: A helicopter landing on a drilling rig near the Sarawak coast experienced a control issue after Foreign Object Debris (FOD) on the deck was ingested into the engine, causing the aircraft to tilt. Multiple injuries were reported.

• Procedural Lesson: The HLO failed to execute the Final Walk-Down Check of the deck. Safety SOPs must mandate that the HLO and deck team use an FOD Clearance Checklist that must be completed $ minutes before every landing and take-off.

Case Analysis 2: Personnel Basket Collision and Sea State Misjudgment (Singapore Waters, 2018)

• Incident Summary: During a vessel transfer in Singaporean waters, the vessel was struck by a sudden rogue wave, causing severe rolling. The crane operator failed to react quickly enough, resulting in the personnel basket swinging violently and colliding with the platform edge, causing fractures to personnel inside.

• Procedural Lesson: Insufficient continuity in sea state monitoring. Safety SOPs must mandate the use of a dedicated Sea State Observer during transfer. If the wave height approaches the safety limit (e.g., .2$ meters), the Stop Work Authority must be immediately activated. Production schedules must never override sea state safety.

Conclusion

Safety management for offshore personnel transfer relies on detailed SOPs, certified personnel (HLOs, Riggers), and a zero-tolerance commitment to procedural execution. For companies operating in high-risk marine environments like the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea, investing in Process Safety, continuously reviewing and strengthening transfer SOPs, is fundamental to safeguarding lives and maintaining operational credibility.