Medical and psychological challenges in the offshore petroleum industry.

The offshore oil industry is an important industry employing a huge number of employees, involving a huge amount of money, having a huge influence on national and international economies, and thereby representing a huge political impact and influence. Despite being a huge industry, it has many characteristics of a small family. The number of operators, service-companies, and contractors is relatively low and most companies operate worldwide. Leaders and seniors from different companies often know each other well and have developed close cooperation. The offshore communities have very stable workforces that have developed close relations trough living and working together 24 hours a day 14 days in a row. Many offshore workers describe their colleagues as their second family. Serious illnesses or accidents and deaths involving offshore workers or their families will therefore often have a greater impact on the offshore community than normally expected. The group of offshore workers is characterized by effective group dynamics. They are well aware of the importance of regular and stable production and a good economy. The trade unions play an important role and have a high degree of influence on conditions related to working and economy. There is an expectation for “speed and service delivery” from persons and organizations serving the offshore workforce.