ISO 35102:2020

Overview

ISO 35102:2020 - Petroleum and natural gas industries: Arctic operations - Escape, evacuation and rescue from offshore installations defines principles, requirements and guidance for developing and implementing an Escape, Evacuation and Rescue (EER) plan for offshore petroleum and gas activities in the Arctic and other cold regions. It applies across the asset life cycle - design, construction, transportation, installation, operation (production and exploration), inspection/repair, and decommissioning - where low temperatures, sea ice, icebergs, icing, persistent snow cover or permafrost can affect personnel safety and equipment performance.

Key topics and technical requirements

ISO 35102:2020 is performance-based and covers technical and organizational elements including:

• General EER requirements and design/operation methods for Arctic offshore installations.
• EER strategy: human and hardware performance considerations for escape, evacuation and rescue.
• Physical environment: design and operational guidance for cold climates, sea ice and icing conditions.
• Hazard identification (HAZID) and risk analysis: EER-specific HAZID, risk assessment and mitigation principles.
• Continuous assessment of EER capabilities through the asset life cycle.
• EER system capabilities: requirements for lifeboats, transfer systems, muster arrangements and support vessels (where applicable).
• Emergency Response Organization (ERO): roles, command structure, competency assurance, training and regular drills.
• Communications and alarms, personal protective equipment (PPE) and man-overboard (MOB) recovery adapted to Arctic conditions.
• Escape, evacuation and rescue operations: route design, transfer and muster systems, rescue procedures.
• Annexes provide additional guidance and example Arctic EER risk analyses and operational systems.

Practical applications - who uses this standard

ISO 35102:2020 is used by:

• Designers and engineers developing offshore installations for Arctic/cold-region service.
• Operators and duty holders preparing EER plans, emergency procedures and training programs.
• Regulators and safety assessors evaluating compliance and risk management for Arctic operations.
• Contractors and equipment manufacturers specifying EER-capable systems (lifesaving appliances, transfer systems, PPE).
• Emergency planners and rescue coordinators integrating support vessels and onshore response into EER strategies.

The standard is relevant to fixed and floating platforms, support vessels involved in rescue, and - to a limited extent - to MODUs when operating in Arctic conditions. It helps ensure safer offshore operations by addressing environmental constraints, human performance, technology, training and procedural controls.

Related standards

• ISO 35101, ISO 35103, ISO 35104, ISO/TS 35105, ISO 35106 (Arctic operations series)
• ISO 19905‑1 (reference for Mobile Offshore Drilling Units, MODUs)
• International maritime law and flag-state requirements for floating platforms classified as vessels

Keywords: ISO 35102:2020, Arctic operations, escape evacuation and rescue, EER plan, offshore installations, petroleum and natural gas, cold regions, HAZID, risk analysis, emergency response.