Health, safety and environmental (HSE) regulation and outcomes in the offshore oil and gas industry: Performance review of trends in the United Kingdom Continental Shelf

This paper contributes to understanding health, safety and environmental (HSE) regulation performance in the offshore oil gas industry. The United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS) is used explain how both investments by companies regulatory initiatives can collectively contribute enhancing standards, thereby reducing total accident incident costs. We apply theoretical analytical dimensions: firstly, characterising an economic approach for evaluating HSE investments, secondly, undertaking comparative statistical analysis of UKCS performance. Our findings indicate that cost-benefit has been beneficial investment decisions meet stricter compliance standards. Regarding analysis, we find there a considerable improvement over past two decades, indicated declining hydrocarbon releases (safety indicator) injury rates (health indicator). Nonetheless, while produced water discharges (environment have also declined, data shows frequency spill incidents increased 62% compared 2002 baseline levels. partly explained several recent unplanned shutdowns, especially between 2013 2016, consequent reductions production efficiency due ageing infrastructure. Overall, suggest fair, effective, participatory regimes ensure collective drive all stakeholders towards improving industry promote better environment.