Single- and double-loop organizational learning through a series of pipeline emergency exercises

Onshore pipelines represent a risk to society due to potential leaks. Training and exercising emergency response systems are therefore part of the legislation in affected countries. In the present work, a series of three biannual exercises, simulating leaks from Norwegian onshore hydrocarbon pipelines, is assessed. Single- and double-loop learning theory is used to analyse the learning processes. Seven single-loop and two double-loop learning processes are documented. Among others, public notification and establishment of evacuation centres were greatly improved. A conceptual change in risk assessment, followed by development of artefacts and improved communication lines, also occurred. It is demonstrated that a series of full-scale exercises, with successive learning steps, is a sound way to improve the performance of emergency response systems.