Offshore drilling processes involve several challenges. In particular, the mixing of water and oil may lead to ocean water contamination. This chapter focuses on the hazards associated with offshore drilling and the measures to address these hazards. Offshore drilling hazards can be divided into health and safety hazards. In this work, interpretive structural modeling (ISM) was performed to identify the hazards associated with offshore drilling and corresponding countermeasures. Data were collected by conducting an extensive literature review and interviews with academic experts and industry specialists from Japan and China. Eight key measures to address the hazards associated with offshore drilling were identified. The relationships between these measures were illustrated through a structural self-interaction matrix (SSIM). Subsequently, a reachability matrix was developed to clarify the driving and dependence powers of each variable. Moreover, the measures were schematically illustrated based on their dependence, drive, and independence levels, indicating the influence of the measures on other measures. This research can facilitate the decision-making of top management in the offshore drilling industry and literature reviews. Nevertheless, this study involves certain limitations. In the future, inputs could be obtained from experts in other countries, and additional measures to prevent the hazards could be identified. Moreover, quantitative analyses could be performed to determine the absolute values to evaluate the measures.
Elsevier, Risk Assessment and Management for Ships and Offshore Structures, 2024, pages 163-178
