How Brazil Operators and Regulators Implemented, Audited and Learned from COVID-19
Authors: Biddle Nathan , Siqueira Jorge , Guedes Anne , França Mariana , Ferreira Nayara , Coelho Daniela 
Published: August 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it the potential risk for personnel abandonment of various oil and gas installations that was unprecedented in the industry. Uncertainties on how to implement and monitor these processes was a significant challenge. This pandemic scenario required that operators and regulators work together to reformulate their normal way of working to decrease the risk of virus exposure to personnel, while still ensuring critical elements were implemented for safe operations.

Regulators were required to act quickly to implement and adjust regulations to meet the new demands for safe operations during the global pandemic. Through joint discussions with industry associations and an understanding of the situation, the Brazilian oil and gas industry regulator, ANP, was able to immediately implement tracking requirements and, within less than one month after formal declaration of a state of emergency, issued new regulations for the restart and operations of installations. These measures assisted in a better understanding of the COVID-19 situation onboard offshore installations and in disseminating learnings across Exploration and Production (E&P) industry.

Operators across Brazil all implemented modified emergency response plans, new hazard identification measures and means to reduce the risks of these identified hazards in response to COVID-19. The ANP worked to oversee the manner in which these measures were conducted, while successfully assisting in reducing demands on offshore work during the pandemic by migrating to a fully-remote means of regulatory enforcement and auditing.

Regulators and operators all worked across five key areas and within the joint efforts significantly mitigated the impacts which COVID-19 had on the industry in Brazil. These key areas were:

Operational Safety Documentation, procedures within the regulations and management system to cope with the pandemic scenario; Tracking of COVID-19 cases and effective response measures/learnings across industry; Hazard Identification related to the operational conditions impacted by the COVID-19 crisis; Risk Assessment for the identified hazards because of the pandemic; and Emergency Response plans for response to the worst-case operational scenario during a pandemic.

Although severe outbreaks did occur on several installations, causing temporary shutdowns, there have to date been no major operational accidents as a result of COVID-19 personnel evacuations or procedures. Additionally, the total oil and gas production levels for Brazil have been maintained or increased across the sector. These high-level performance indicators demonstrate that through the efforts of the ANP, operators, service providers and other regulators, the pandemic situation is being managed successfully while the industry also continues meet the necessary energy demands of the country. Although the global pandemic has been a sobering and dark period in history for all, there have been positive outcomes for the oil and gas exploration and production industry. The three most apparent positive outcomes are:

Ability of regulators and operators to adapt together; A focus by all players on the safety of the workforce and environment;. Effectively operating under adverse conditions with reduced and essential workforce.