DCVC
Glad to hear it, because waiting for regulators is pointless.
VL
The bottom line is that the regulators can only ask for what is technically feasible and economical (ALARP if you will). The regulators are also the policeman of the rules, so they have the say when it comes to accepting compliance.
Well I guess then 20 years ago they thought it was technically feasible but very little has happened since. And if the policeman screwed up when writing (his own) rules, you don't want to expect the same policeman to admit he made a mistake, either during certification, or throughout operational life. And if we're waiting for the politicians (the policeman's boss) to do something good luck.........
The point I was trying to make is regulators will never be the drivers of technological advancement - they tend to follow along with manufacturers' current capabilities - they then update a handbook with minimum requirements, so in fact they're always behind the technology curve, not out in front pushing it.
Offshore operations have changed in the last 20 years - commercial manufacturers will only react to market demand (no demand, no change) - the oil companies have to play a bigger role in making sure manufacturers keep up as they go further and further offshore in hostile environments.
What happens when we go 2 hours offshore - everyone still busy debating the old 30 minutes wording ?