Organization of intervention and rescue activities in toxic/explosive environments within OMV Petromar – Istria Offshore Sector

¹ National Institute for Research and Development in Mine Safety and Protection to Explosion – INSEMEX Petroșani, Romania
² Technical Sciences Academy of Romania

^* Corresponding author: cristian.nicolescu@insemex.ro

Abstract

The activity within OMV Petromar Istria-Offshore Sector takes place across 6 marine platforms located in the Black Sea. Here, crude oil and gas are extracted, products being then transported to the Central Platform where they undergo primary processing and then are sent to the shore at the Midia Năvodari Terminal. In 2024, the procedure for organizing the intervention and rescue activity at the level of these platforms was initiated, being completed this year. This marks the first time in Romania that such an activity has been implemented in an offshore production area. Thus, five intervention and rescue stations were authorized at the level of each platform, except for the Pescăruș platform which was designated as an intervention point under the rescue station on the central platform. The paper aims to present he training methods for rescuers using the equipment available on each platform, as well as the specific intervention procedures adapted to the offshore environment—procedures that differ from those used onshore. Given that this is the first time that intervention and rescue activities are implemented at the level of marine platforms, the intervention procedures specific to toxic / explosive environments must be correlated with maritime rescue protocols in case of disasters.