Developing performance-based immediate activation criteria for emergency management in the upstream oil and gas industry: A triangulated approach
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Emergencies in the upstream offshore oil and gas industry are characterised by rapid escalation, high uncertainty, and the need for multi-agency coordination, particularly during high-severity events with disaster potential. While national and industry emergency management frameworks are well established, weaknesses remain in the early activation of Emergency Management Teams (EMTs), especially during major escalation scenarios. Existing global and local guidelines largely emphasise compliance and planning but provide limited performance-based criteria to define what constitutes immediate activation in practice. This study adopts a triangulated methodological approach to identify and validate performance-based criteria for immediate EMT activation. A systematic review of Tier 3 upstream oil and gas incidents was conducted using PRISMA principles to extract recurring activation-related conditions from real-world events. Second, a documentary analysis of emergency response plans, protocols, and drill records from selected upstream operators assessed the clarity of activation and operational readiness. Third, SME validation was undertaken through structured surveys and expert interviews involving 25 industry and regulatory specialists. The analysis was organised across five domains: command structure, communication, logistics and resources, situational awareness, and planning and information management. The findings revealed recurring activation deficiencies across all three data sources, including delayed decision authority, communication latency, logistical mobilisation constraints in remote offshore environments, limited early-stage situational awareness, and inconsistent post-activation learning. These challenges were translated into a set of measurable, auditable, performance-based activation criteria. The validated criteria define explicit expectations for command accessibility, communication redundancy and acknowledgement discipline, resource readiness, common operating picture development, and structured post-activation review. By operationalising immediate EMT activation through quantifiable performance conditions, this study contributes to strengthening institutional preparedness and reducing escalation risk in high-consequence industrial emergencies. The findings provide a foundation for developing a system-level Immediate Activation Protocol applicable to high-risk and remote operational environments.
Source: Progress in Disaster Science
Language: English
Topic: Safety and Risk Management
Subfield: Safety Research
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,120
OpenAlex ID: W7163514101