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Offshore oil and gas operations place workers in some of the most demanding environments in the energy sector. Remote locations, changing weather conditions, and complex equipment all increase risk

Safety preparation is essential for protecting lives and ensuring that projects continue without disruption. Training plays a central role in preparing offshore personnel to respond effectively when unexpected situations arise.

Energy projects across offshore regions require strict safety standards that apply to every individual travelling to or working on an installation. These expectations are driven by the need for consistent emergency response skills and shared understanding across multinational teams. Standardised safety preparation helps ensure that workers arriving from different countries can operate confidently under the same procedures.

Practical preparation through BOSIET training is a key requirement for offshore readiness and is widely recognised across the industry. Access to structured programs such as the OPITO approved course available at helps offshore personnel gain the survival and emergency response skills expected by operators worldwide. Training aligned with standards set by OPITO supports safer offshore deployments and workforce confidence.

Offshore safety expectations in the oil and gas sector

Offshore environments present unique risks that are not commonly found onshore. Helicopter transport, confined spaces, fire hazards, and exposure to open water all require specialised preparation. Industry standards reflect these challenges by setting clear requirements for worker training before offshore travel.

Employers rely on consistent safety certification to verify readiness. Workers benefit from knowing what to expect during offshore assignments and how to respond during emergencies. Shared training standards reduce confusion and support coordinated responses during critical situations.

Understanding the purpose of BOSIET certification

BOSIET certification focuses on building essential offshore survival skills. The training covers emergency response techniques that are critical during offshore incidents. Participants learn how to manage high stress situations while protecting themselves and others.

The course also introduces offshore safety culture and responsibilities. Understanding personal accountability and teamwork strengthens overall safety performance. Certified workers arrive offshore prepared to follow established procedures and contribute to a safer working environment.

Helicopter safety and underwater escape awareness

Helicopter travel is a routine part of offshore operations, yet it carries inherent risk. Training addresses safe boarding, seating positions, and emergency procedures during flight. Workers learn how to respond calmly and efficiently if an aircraft incident occurs.

Underwater escape training is a core component of preparation. Participants practice techniques for exiting a submerged helicopter using emergency breathing systems. Familiarity with these procedures builds confidence and reduces panic during real emergencies.

Emergency response skills for offshore environments

Offshore installations must be ready to handle fire, evacuation, and medical emergencies at any time. Training provides hands on experience with alarms, escape routes, and muster procedures. Workers learn how to react quickly while following instructions from offshore leadership.

Fire response awareness is another critical area. Understanding fire types and initial response actions helps reduce escalation. Prepared personnel contribute to safer outcomes during emergencies and support the work of designated response teams.

Sea survival and personal protection

Open water survival skills are essential for offshore workers. Training includes techniques for entering the water safely, using life jackets, and boarding life rafts. Participants also learn how to manage exposure while awaiting rescue.

Personal protection knowledge extends beyond equipment use. Awareness of signaling methods and group survival strategies improves the chances of successful recovery. These skills are vital in remote offshore locations where rescue may take time.

Relevance of BOSIET for African offshore operations

Offshore energy projects continue to expand across African regions, increasing demand for trained personnel. International operators expect workers to meet the same safety standards regardless of location. BOSIET certification supports workforce mobility and project consistency.

African offshore installations often involve multinational crews. Shared training standards improve communication and cooperation across teams. Certified workers can transition between projects more easily while maintaining compliance with global expectations.

Training locations and accessibility

Access to approved training centres plays an important role in workforce readiness. Workers need convenient options to complete certification without excessive travel delays. Planning training schedules helps ensure certifications remain valid ahead of deployment.

Organisations benefit from working with providers that offer recognised programmes and flexible scheduling. Accessible training supports project timelines and reduces last minute disruptions caused by expired or missing certifications.

Maintaining certification and refresher requirements

BOSIET certification has a defined validity period, making refresher training essential. Regular updates ensure that skills remain current and aligned with evolving standards. Refresher courses reinforce critical knowledge and maintain confidence.

Ongoing competency supports long term safety culture. Workers who refresh their training stay familiar with procedures and equipment. This continuity strengthens offshore safety performance across multiple assignments.

Conclusion

Offshore oil and gas operations demand a high level of emergency preparedness and personal responsibility. Training aligned with OPITO standards equips workers with the skills needed to manage offshore risks and respond effectively during emergencies. BOSIET certification remains a cornerstone of offshore readiness, supporting safer deployments and international workforce mobility. FMTC Safety provides access to recognised training that helps offshore professionals meet industry expectations while strengthening safety performance across global operations.

Energy data and intelligence provider, TGS, has tapped offshore Mauritania and the wider West African Atlantic Margin for a large-scale multi-client 3D seismic project called the Mauritania MegaSurvey 

With this initiative, TGS has secured more than 100,000 contiguous square kilometers of modern seismic data, which will add to its existing offshore Mauritania multi-client library. Strategically positioned for extension and integration, the move will allow TGS to give operators easy and one-stop access across the offshore of Mauritania, making possible the regional interpretation of the full source to sink from nearshore to the ultradeep.

For an informed portfolio decision-making, operators can interpret complex regional-scale seismic with continuity across multiple exploration plays, simplifying robust basin screening and prospect maturation. The MegaSurvey's harmonised 3D seismic dataset over a large contiguous area eliminates uncertainties by ensuring confident geological interpretation backed by the clarity of structural and stratigraphic frameworks. Companies can leverage the survey for de-risking acreage evaluation before going ahead with drilling or licensing decisions.

TGS’ interests in the Mauritanian offshore is supported by the Mauritanian Ministry as its advanced datasets make the region attractive for exploration investment opportunities.

David Hajovsky, executive vice president of Multi-Client at TGS, said, “The Mauritania MegaSurvey delivers strategic regional value for our customers. By integrating with broader West African subsurface frameworks, the survey provides deeper insight into basin architecture and petroleum systems along the Atlantic Margin. This regional perspective enables operators to assess Mauritania in the context of neighboring proven and emerging basins, supporting play fairway analysis and a more robust understanding of cross-border geological trends.”

The Mauritania MegaSurvey further strengthens TGS’ multi-client leadership offshore West Africa and complements the company’s extensive portfolio of 2D seismic, 3D seismic, and well data across the region.

The three-well drilling campaign by Rex International Holding Limited in the Seme Field, Benin, goes on as the floating storage & offloading (FSO) unit has arrived and is at the anchorage

The mooring system is currently being installed and will be hooked up with a flowline to the mobile offshore production unit (MOPU). Before the MOPU arrives this month, the team is working on remedial actions to address certain technical issues that the campaign had been facing. While this may lead to some delays, production start-up is being targeted by December end.

Akrake Petroleum Benin SA holds a 76% interest in the Seme Field in Block 1, Benin, and is the operator. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lime Petroleum Holding AS, an 89.74 per cent subsidiary of Rex. 

The campaign involves a 100-day three-well work-programme to redevelop the Seme Field. This will see the drilling of  two horizontal production wells in the H6 formation (previously developed), as well as a deeper vertical appraisal well to gather data from the H7 and H8 reservoirs, to facilitate the potential advancement to Phase 2 of the development.

The production start-up and optimisation in the Seme Field will be backed by additional data on the subsurface alongside the existing 3D seismic that has been reprocessed by the team. 

Egyptian engineering procurement and construction contractor, Petrojet, which is particularly well established in Abu Dhabi, has signed a US$273mn contract to facilitate the construction of a 193 km natural gas pipeline in Oman

Further advancing the rapidly growing mutual cooperation on natural gas infrastructure, the deal was initiated at the presence of Karim Badawi, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and Mansoor Ali Al Abdali, Managing Director of OQ Gas Networks (OQGN). 

The contract also finalised the delivery of the first phase of OQGN’s hydrogen pipeline network, which will include 400 km of the planned 2,000 km system at approximately US$250mn.

This contract win will support the company in preparation for the upcoming green hydrogen and Natural Gas Liquids Extraction (NGLE) projects, leveraging its international expertise as Oman expands its new-energy ambitions.

The contract's relevance couldn't have been better timed as it was announced in line with Oman’s Green Hydrogen Summit, where collaboration opportunities were explored. 

The summit also reviewed progress by Engineering for the Petroleum and Process Industries (ENPPI) and Egypt Gas as they complete registration on OQGN’s Tawreed platform. The Duqm Refinery is nearing completion as the companies finalise technical pre-qualification documents for gas pressure reduction stations.

ENPPI, which partners with OQGN, Oman Tank Terminal Company (OTTCO), and Duqm Refinery, remains a key contender for upcoming project tenders. Discussions also highlighted broader Egyptian company participation in Oman’s energy projects.

The Terna Oil Refinery has resumed crude oil refining operations after several years of inactivity

This follows the three-month execution of major turnaround maintenance (TAM) works on the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU). The work was backed by international engineering, safety, and operational standards.

The TAM work was followed by a comprehensive regulatory inspection from the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and clearance for the resumption of refining activities. This marked the beginning of refining operations, with an entire line of petroleum products going to storage for the first time in a while.

With the refinery's official recommissioning and a phased transition planned toward attaining full operational capacity, TOR will currently focus in stabilising systems, optimising performance, and ensuring sustained operational reliability. The project will have a significant contribution in the revitalisation of Ghana's downstream petroleum sector.

In addition, TOR has completed the installation of a new furnace, F-61, which will soon be commissioned and integrated into the CDU. This critical upgrade will enable the refinery to restore its original nameplate capacity of 45,000 barrels per stream day (bpsd), up from the current operating level of 28,000 bpsd, with a clear strategic pathway to expand the capacity to 60,000 bpsd in the medium tenn, following the installation of a new Air-Cooler.

The Government of Ghana will formally commission and tie-in the F-61 furnace at a later date.

The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor (MP), has played a major role in this development with his dedication, technical oversight and policy leadership.

Oil Review Africa catches up with Christopher Hudson, President of dmg events, ahead of ADIPEC 2025

Excerpts from an interview: 

Energy across Africa, as elsewhere in the world, is seeing major shifts and advancements. How does ADIPEC 2025 reflect this changing industry landscape and help meet the needs? 

Energy is one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving sectors. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global energy demand rose by 2.2% last year, outpacing the average annual increase of 1.3% recorded over the last decade. At the same time, the global population is projected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050, with over 750 million people still lacking access to electricity, and more than 2.1 billion people remain without access to clean cooking. Rising urbanisation and living standards are reshaping energy demand, with air conditioning alone expected to be one of the largest contributors to electricity demand growth in the coming decades. This reveals the sector’s increasing need to not only produce more energy but to produce it in a way that is equitable and sustainable.

In this context, ADIPEC 2025 is being held under the theme of ‘Energy. Intelligence. Impact’. It reflects a simple but powerful truth: meeting the world’s growing need for secure, affordable and sustainable energy will depend on how intelligently we harness every resource – human, technological and natural – to deliver meaningful results for economies and communities alike.

At its core, the theme recognises that intelligence – both human and artificial – is transforming the way energy is produced, managed, and consumed. From AI-driven optimisation and digital integration to advances in hydrogen, LNG, and decarbonisation, intelligent innovation is reshaping the global energy landscape. ADIPEC serves as the meeting point for these forces, where ideas translate into action and impact can be measured in investment, policy, and progress.

AI is a major topic of discussion in the context of energy, due to its high demand. How is ADIPEC responding to the challenges and opportunities of the AI-energy nexus? 

Artificial intelligence is reshaping both global energy demand and the industry’s ability to respond. Data centres already consume around 1.5% of global electricity, and with AI workloads, that demand could more than double by 2030, rising from 415 TWh to 945 TWh. A single advanced AI model can require as much electricity to train as 100 households use in a year, while an AI query may consume 10 times more energy than a standard search.

This convergence is both a challenge and an opportunity. AI requires enormous energy, but it can also optimise grids, cut waste, improve operational efficiency, and accelerate decarbonisation. At ADIPEC 2025, we have expanded our AI Zone into five experiential areas showcasing how AI is transforming systems, people, and infrastructure. Alongside this, more than 80 conference sessions are dedicated to the AI–energy nexus, from predictive analytics to governance frameworks.

For Africa, this is particularly significant. Many countries are rapidly digitalising while also expanding power systems. The ability of AI to enhance reliability and reduce costs could be transformative for energy access and economic growth.

How is the diversity of the African continent and its vast energy sector reflected across ADIPEC 2025’s programme? 

Africa is a core part of ADIPEC’s community. This year, we are proud to welcome a strong delegation of African ministers and leaders, including those from Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Gambia, Equatorial Guinea, and Egypt. Their participation enriches ADIPEC’s Strategic Conference and exhibitions, ensuring Africa’s perspectives are reflected in discussions on natural gas, hydrogen, downstream, and low-carbon solutions.

dmg events is also the largest organiser of energy and infrastructure events across Africa, with long-standing operations in Nigeria, Mozambique, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania, South Africa, Egypt and Morocco. This presence gives us a unique vantage point to bridge African priorities with global dialogue.

Africa holds some of the world’s largest reserves of natural gas, oil, and minerals, as well as enormous potential in renewables. ADIPEC is committed to supporting this potential by convening African voices alongside global leaders, unlocking partnerships that can expand access, accelerate industrialisation, and strengthen Africa’s contribution to global energy progress.

Some of ADIPEC 2025’s notable African speakers include: Honourable J. Opiyo Wandayi, Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Kenya; Honourable Sen. Dr. Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister for State (Oil), Petroleum Resources, Nigeria; Rt. Honourable Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister for State (Gas) Petroleum Resources, Nigeria; Honourable Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Minister of Power, Nigeria; Honourable Julius D. Mattai, Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Republic of Sierra Leone; Honourable Ruth Nankabirwa Ssentamu, Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Uganda; His Excellency Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Arab Republic of Egypt; His Excellency Antonio Oburu Ondo, Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons, Equatorial Guinea, Honorable Julius D. Mattai, Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Republic of Sierra Leonne; Honourable July Moyo, Minister of Energy and Power Development, Zimbabwe; His Excellency Nani Juwara, Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Gambia; Honourable Cheikh Niane, Deputy Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Senegal, and Mathias Katamba, board chairman, Uganda National Oil Company.