The following summarises the points covered at the September meetings of both EPOL and OREEF. Should you have any queries on the content, please contact us through OEER.
SUMMARY OF EPOL MEETING, 4 MAR 2026
Media subgroup update – EPOL media guidance currently being reviewed by the subgroup, including platform operators, media agencies, OEUK, HM Coastguard and Police.
Severe Weather Action Plan exercise subgroup update – Meetings ongoing and exercise objectives drafted. Participating organisations to include multiple platform operators, OEUK, Police, HMCG, helicopter operators and training providers. Next tasks are to confirm all exercise participants, develop scenario and set exercise date (potentially Sep 2026).
Other forthcoming workgroups:
- Altered mental states subgroup/workshop
- Evacuation reception centre guidance subgroup to review guidance
HM Coastguard update:
- Topside authorisation is generally required for all medevacs, however HMCG will respond to casualties in a life-threatening situation if this has not yet been arranged.
- The oilandgas@hmcg.gov.uk domain name is being discontinued, to be replaced by notifications@mcga.gov.uk.
- New HMCG offshore energy team lead John Sanderson to take up his role shortly
HSE update:
HSE recently reviewed an incident at a UK offshore windfarm in Sep 2025 (not oil/gas, but worth highlighting to the EPOL group). A technician sustained injuries as a result of an electric shock, and was subsequently winched from the turbine nacelle. The crew were able to use enhanced first aid training and equipment including pain relief during the incident.
OPRED update:
- Updating guidance this year
- Undertaking seven Tier 3 exercises this year.
- Learning from 2025 Tier 3 exercises to be passed to technical groups and EPOL.
IADC update:
- 2025 ISP Annual Report now published on the IADC website
- Continue to work on updating the Standardised Rig Equipment for Jack-Ups
- Currently have 2 semi-submersibles and 10 Jack-Ups operating in the UKCS
OEUK update:
- Supporting EPOL workgroup and delivery of SWAP workshop
- Forthcoming OEUK security tabletop exercise, 21st April 2026.
- Forthcoming OEUK security and resilience conference in Aberdeen, 22nd April 2026.
- Recently drafted guidance for OIM’s on reporting suspicious activity offshore.
Police Scotland update:
- A sudden death sadly took place on an FPSO offshore, 28 Dec 2025. The IMT stood up at Restrata, and Police ILO’s attended to assist. A team of 3 BOSIET-trained officers from Police Scotland attended offshore to investigate along with HSE.
- Protest activity – Two recent energy-related protests in Aberdeen were attended/investigated by Police.
- Drugs searches – Recent/ongoing enhanced searches conducted at Aberdeen Heliport by Borders Policing.
OEUK Security and Resilience Committee update:
- Recent reduction in reports of drone sightings
- Offshore security to be a priority this year
- Keen to have more operators in the Committee
OREEF
- An examples of industry good practice was presented – named sleeves added to life jackets enabling ease of identification of casualties during an emergency
- OFTO working group restarted
- Incident learnings were shared including two vessel allisions with, a vessel collision , and a casualty winched by SAR helicopter from a nacelle (the first in the UK)
- A Gwynt y Mor windfarm CTV were praised for their assistance to HM Coastguard in two SAR incidents
- HM Coastguard will be hosting an emergency response workshop in December focussed on floating offshore wind.
- Work is continuing by the Performance Standards Working Group on drafting OREEF guidance on performance standards for renewables
- It was agreed by members to publish the final draft of the OREEF Emergency Beacon Use Good Practice on the OEER website
- A presentation on Exercise Blyth (TRIREX series) was provide by the Deputy SOSREP for Maritime Salvage and Intervention and HM Coastguard and lessons learned discussed.
Next meeting will be held on Thu 4 December
SUMMARY OF EPOL MEETING 2 JUNE 2026
EPOL’s public communications guidance in the event of offshore incidents has been reviewed by representatives from industry, media, OEUK, HM Coastguard and Police. The revised version will be uploaded onto the website shortly.
Planning is ongoing for a workshop to test operators’ severe weather action plans in a scenario where numerous crew members from different installations require to be down-manned or evacuated within a short window of time. This workshop will bring together oil/gas operators, helicopter operators, OEUK, HM Coastguard and Police.
A new EPOL subgroup is being set up to encourage greater collaboration in developing and testing exercise scenarios.
HM Coastguard’s helicopter contract changes shortly with new callsigns to be aligned to helicopter types. Note there is additional summer air cover in Carlisle and Oban.
Offshore installations with serious medical emergencies are advised to contact HM Coastguard first or as soon as possible to have an aircraft tasked, so as not to delay attendance by contacting topside medic first.
It has been observed that recent medevac statistics from HM Coastguard show a slight decline in the number of medevacs, and an older demographic amongst the medevacs.
EPOL members are requested to please update regulators of any company mergers, including names and contact details of any relevant new points of contact.
OPRED have released feedback following the Tier 3 pollution response exercises in 2025, circulated by email to EPOL members.
IADC have released the Q1 2026 Incident Statistics Program (ISP) summary of occupational incidents for drilling contractors worldwide – see website. IADC have also published guidance to help strengthen understanding of SIFs (Serious Injuries and Fatalities) and help ensure relevant focus is given to incidents with the most serious outcomes.
Police responded to a sudden death due to medical causes on the Ninian Central platform on 11 Apr 2026. The 66-year old male crew member was found collapsed and sadly could not be revived despite the best efforts of the crew and attending Coastguard paramedics. His family was notified and support was provided by the Police and his employer.
Police held their annual Offshore Incident Liaison Officer (ILO) course in Aberdeen on 11-15 May attended by 9 Police Scotland officers, 2 Humberside officers, 1 Merseyside officer and 2 Norwegian officers. Police are very grateful to the support provided to this course by partners from industry, regulators and other organisations, including provision of facilities, learning and inputs during the course.