Use of CCTV in remote operations and remote support of oil and gas fields to improve safety and resilience

Abstract

CCTV is increasingly used in the oil and gas industry to assist in remote operations and remote support. This is done to achieve safety and resilience. The CCTV system is a complex component, consisting of technology (screens, cameras, workplaces), humans (operators observing and analyzing information) and organizational factors (procedures, responsibilities, staffing). We have examined the use of CCTVs in three actual oil and gas installations on the Norwegian continental shelf, in order to identify the use and need for Human Factors (HF) specific guidelines. The scope of HF specific guidelines related to CCTV is ergonomic factors (i.e. size of screens), cognitive factors (i.e. situational awareness) and organizational factors (i.e. awareness of need, process to implement CCTV, and procedures of use). Available CCTV standards and guidelines were not known or used in the design process in the installations. In general, available CCTV guidelines are focused on security, and are not focused on safety and resilience of remote operations. The industry should use and explore the existing CCTV standards from the initial phase in order to build on existing research and good practices from the HF area. We argue that there is a need to develop improved CCTV guidelines and standards supporting HF, safety and resilience, especially in the oil and gas industry.