Speaking at the Second Process Safety Management Conference on Sunday,
Ansari noted that the Ministry of Oil aims to increase production by 400,000
barrels per day by next year, especially amid gas shortages during the cold
season and the need to supply feedstock to petrochemical facilities. "The
significance of HSE in the production-to-export chain must be clearly
established," he stated.
He highlighted that HSE is a fundamental component of energy security,
asserting that any disruption in the production cycle could jeopardize energy
stability. "If we encounter any issues in production processing, we will
not achieve our ultimate objectives," Ansari warned. He stressed the
importance of moving towards accident prevention, particularly given the aging
infrastructure and workforce in the oil industry. "Failure to prioritize
prevention will disrupt energy security," he added.
Reflecting on the historical context, Ansari noted that preventive
measures in HSE have been in place for 18 years, resulting in a decline in oil
industry incidents, with the exception of 2023. He mentioned that 55% of
incidents were process-related, 26% were linked to pipeline corrosion, and 36%
were due to equipment failures.
Ansari pointed out that operational discipline lapses manifest in
accidents, warning that neglecting preventative strategies would lead to
significant costs. He noted that 72% of the 42 process-related incidents in the
oil sector stemmed from inadequate risk management.
Among the achievements in HSE management, Ansari cited the issuance of
the Process Safety Management (PSM) system in 2023 and the integration of HSE
frameworks within national structures, with four new standards—two already
finalized and two forthcoming—developed by the Iranian Standard Organization.
Concluding his remarks, Ansari stressed the need for sustainable
environmental practices in the oil industry, acknowledging that while the
current management framework is effective, much work remains to achieve
ultimate safety and efficiency goals.