The Australian offshore regulator NOPSEMA has approved a temporary increase in the permitted personnel on board (POB) for Inpex's Ichthys Explorer central processing facility offshore Australia. The approval allows the number to rise from 210 to 245 personnel until the end of 2026, to support work on the newly installed Booster Compressor Module.

Union Concerns and Reported Issues

The Offshore Alliance (OA) union had raised concerns with NOPSEMA about Inpex's plan to add approximately 50 personnel, arguing the facility was designed for a maximum of 200 people. The union claims the increased occupancy has already led to problems including overcrowding in common areas, the conversion of single cabins to dual-occupancy, and failures in the sewage system. The OA alleges Inpex prioritized cost savings over worker welfare by not chartering an accommodation vessel after the departure of the floatel Triumph.

Regulatory Assessment and Conditions

NOPSEMA's approval followed Inpex's submission of a revised safety case. The regulator stated that Inpex conducted a psychosocial risk assessment and a hazard identification workshop with the workforce to address safety risks related to cabin sharing, communal area use, and the duration of the increased occupancy. The increased POB is a temporary measure pending completion of the Booster Compressor Module project, after which numbers are slated to return to 210.

Ongoing Disputes and Safety Record

Despite the approval, the OA plans to file another complaint with NOPSEMA regarding occupational health and safety standards, citing mental health as a significant issue for fly-in, fly-out workers. The Ichthys Explorer has a history of notifiable incidents reported to NOPSEMA, including a recent reopened investigation into alleged mercury poisoning and a prior incident involving a live electrical cable that posed a risk of serious injury or death.