Development of a Safety Case for an Offshore Hydrocarbon Production Facility - Coursework Example

Offshore Science and Engineering Name Professor Institution Course Date Contents Introduction 3 Description of the facility 3 Description of the operating environment 5 HAZID (Hazard Identification) risks 6 HAZOP (Hazard and Operability) risks 7 Risks Organization 8 Application of categories Q, SQ and QRA in determining the degree of risks 9 Prescribed actions and processes in order to make the risks ALARP 12 Assessment of the identified risks 12 Management of risks to achieve ALARP risk levels 14 Quantification and Qualification of identified risks 15 Conclusion 17 References 18 Development of a Safety Case for an offshore hydrocarbon production facility Introduction A safety case is a presentation of arguments in a structured manner using evidence. In this case, the presentation of arguments intends to achieve the justification associated with the safety of a system. The justification of the system’s safety is usually associated with the consideration of certain specific operating environment. A safety case is usually considered a regulatory requirement in order for a process to be granted a certificate of safety. Safety cases are used in the regulation on various industries, which include hydrocarbon production, automotive, aviation and medical among others. The development of a safety case for offshore production operations has proved its worth as one of the considerations in the installation and management of such facilities. Hazard evaluation strategies can be connected in every attribute of the offshore oil and gas and production facility. Enterprises need to realize that to be effective they must have a decent comprehension of the risks associated with their equipment and facilities as well as the extent to which the safety of the facility relates to the general population. The development of safety case is largely connected with the operational and functional aspects of offshore facilities as well as the expenses related to corporate notoriety (Speight, 2014). Description of the facility An offshore hydrocarbon production facility involves an integration of a series of equipment that are situated at the production installation. Such equipment includes those used in separation, processing and treatment, production as well as storage among others. In an offshore hydrocarbon production facility, there is usually the installation of platforms that are permanently situated at the wellhead. Pipelines are then laid on the tankers or seabed and may shuttle back and forth through a process that takes hydrocarbons to shore. There are various aspects associated with the production phase in offshore development. Such aspects build on a series that involves offshore exploration and hydrocarbon development. Moving from exploration towards production translates to a significant step in the course of developing an offshore reserve. The differences that are largely experienced involve are concerned with the size of an offshore development as well as several other activities associated with a single exploratory well for longer period and on a larger scale (Revie, 2015). The development of an offshore hydrocarbon production facility involves the installation of the offshore equipment as well as the installation of drilling wells in the reservoirs located in the subsea. The production facility in this case, has other platforms that are supported from the bottom. Such platforms include the fabricated island constructed using gravel and appropriate for use is supporting large drilling rigs that extend to a water depth of close to 50 feet. Several tons of gravel form part of the seafloor that is used in the creation of the island. Upon completion of the production process, the islands is allowed to go through a natural erosion or dredging to a level that is appropriate for vessel navigation. Gravel islands require typical strengthening with steel or concrete, rock to offer resistance to the impact of ice. The offshore hydrocarbon production facility also consists of a tubular steel cross bracing and large pipe legs that makes up a component known as a jacket. The jacket is sustained through the support of piles that are pushed into the seafloor to transmit wind, wave and current into the ground. The also provides support to the deck that harbors a drilling rig as well as other production facilities. An ever-increasing number of controllers are endeavoring to utilize safety case procedures and techniques in detailing new regulations. The capacity to direct important risk appraisals proceeds to enhance offshore facilities and equipment and information gathering could be achieved through the development of a comprehensive safety case. There are four important reasons that explain the need for risk evaluation the development of a safety case. They include the recognition of dangers and mitigation against them, enhancement of offshore operations, effective utilization of assets and the creation of acceptable standards and regulations for offshore operations (Chandrasekaran, 2015). Assumed operational aspects and attributes of the facility The assumption is that the preparation of the Safety case for this particular situation represents hypothetical facility. The other assumption is that of a hypothetical location where the facility is situated. This location represents an offshore Dampier together with disconnected mooring to permit and facilitate cyclone evasion. Description of the operating environment Hydrocarbon production facilities that are situated in the tropical and hurricane-prone regions are exposed to extreme storms. In such cases, the specific designs of the hydrocarbon production facilities is done in a manner that enables them to be resistant to extreme wind waves as well as minimizing environmental damage. In the operating environment of the offshore hydrocarbon production facility it is important to closely monitor the weather. When the weather is closely monitored, the platform crews in that environment are able to perform the necessary preparations in relation to the evacuation and securing the facility. Platforms in hydrocarbon production facility have a structural reinforcement, which allows for an additional resistance using equipment such as safety valves that are important in controlling the subsea as well as sealing off the wells. Such platforms are also designed to allow the ability to stand direct attack from the hurricane storms without causing significant damages. Platforms in seismic regions are constructed for countering the effects of intense ground movements that result from earthquakes. The design of offshore hydrocarbon production facility structures in such regions are meant to have enhanced strength, which offer protection against damages from earthquakes. The changes experienced in the movement of currents and tides are capable of causing significant stress to offshore hydrocarbon production facility. Tidal swings with a height of more than 20 takes place and results in the pushing of winter ice against the facility platform at every cycle. In such kind of environmental conditions, the platforms of the facility are expected to have specific strength that allows for the protection of wells and resistance to ice impact (Jahn, Cook and Graham, 2008). HAZID (Hazard Identification) risks The facility used in offshore hydrocarbon production is usually affected by hazards from an external point to the operational processes. The objectives of the HAZID framework offered research studies are to recognize rule hazards, to study the practicality of picked efforts to establish safety and, where required, to develop the wellbeing measures remembering the deciding objective in performing a widely appealing extra peril. In consistence with the safety case requirements, other than office security reasons for new foundations, in a manner that thought of operational workplaces should be investigated. The examination serves the hazard identification process as confirmation that foundations are worked such that dangers associated with the offshore hydrocarbon production facility, the environment and nature can be largely denied. The offshore production activities obtain a dynamic picture of the existing risks and their possible effects. The application of effective techniques for the HAZID examination is an important strategy, furthermore non-operational risks and other possible dangers can be identified due to the sorted out method of risk identification. The operators of the facility can be in a position to learn from the various risks that concern their working district. Meanwhile the outcomes of this process are important in obtaining the necessary information that would enhance its performance. In this case, such hazards are not associated with the fundamental processes and functioning of the facility. This implies that the HAZID do not arise from the intrinsic operation of the hydrocarbon production facility. HAZID could range from adverse physical and weather conditions, deterioration of the production facility, which may result from environmental loading, corrosion, fatigue, helicopter activity and boat operations among others. Other identifiable HAZID include the unfavorable state of the open sea transit, hazardous states associated with water, icebergs, vessels that are using the same waterway, under water objects such as wrecks as well as fabricated objects such as offshore structures (Molland, 2008). HAZOP (Hazard and Operability) risks The offshore hydrocarbon production facility may also be subjected to the identification of hazard and operability risks. The HAZOP investigation system utilizes exceptional guidewords to influence an accomplished gathering of individuals to make distinctions among potential perils or operability concerns identifying with bits of facility structure or frameworks. Guidelines that depict potential deviations from configuration goal are obtained through the application of a predefined set of procedures to a pre-determined set of parameters such as weight, stream and arrangement among others. This identification is followed by the conceptualization of potential outcomes associated with the determined deviations. The availability of distinct concerns may require that proper shields be set up to assist in preventing the occurrence of deviations. This sort of examination is largely applicable at the structural level of the facility and creates fundamentally subjective results, albeit certain fundamental evaluations are conceivable (Charlez, 2014). The essential utilization of the HAZOP identification and investigation is a clear evidence of operability and hazardous issues of persistent procedure frameworks. For instance, an offshore hydrocarbon production facility would be appropriate for an oil exchange framework that comprises of different process lines, tanks and pumps. The HAZOP investigation and analysis on the facility could also be utilized to survey production systems and successive operations. The HAZOP are internal and are associated with the daily operations as well as processes within the facility. Some of the identifiable hazard and operability risks include oil and gas leakages, structure, electrical or mechanical failure in relation to the facility or processes, failures associated with equipment operations and cargo transfer services as well as explosion or fire related failures (Revie, 2015). Risks Organization The section of organization and arrangement of risks is important in the development of safety case for the offshore hydrocarbon production facility. The assessment and grading of risk allows for the quantification of their levels and their effects on the environment, human health as well as revenues. The organization of the identifiable risks in relation to the offshore hydrocarbon production facility employs the use of techniques and tools that facilitate the determination of the potentiality and the levels of each risk. In this case, the organization and arrangement of the risks identified, in relation to the offshore hydrocarbon production facility, uses the categories, which include Q, SQ and QRA. Such categories are necessary in the determination of levels of risks as well as process and actions that are expected to form part of prescription (Molland, 2008). Application of categories Q, SQ and QRA in determining the degree of risks The determination of levels and degrees of risks in the development of a safety case for an offshore hydrocarbon production facility employs an approach that is based on three considerations. These considerations include (Speight, 2014): Qualitative (Q), whereby the severity and frequency of the risks are established purely through qualitatively means Semi-quantitative (SQ), whereby the severity and frequency of the risks are approximated using quantified ranges Quantified risk assessment (QRA), whereby the performance of full quantification takes place The application of the above approaches in the assessment of risks presents a reflection of various requirements associated with the details and level of specific identified risks. The extent of effort and detail needed goes up from the lowest level of qualitative (Q) then to semi-quantitative (SQ) and finally to the highest level of quantified risk assessment (QRA). Figure 1: Assessment of risk levels (Source: Guidance on Risk Assessment for Offshore Installations, HSE) In adopting the use of (QRA) Qualitative Risk Assessment, answers to the following questions were provided: Which risk events have a higher likelihood of happening? Which ones are the most critical risk evens? Is it necessary to mitigate the risks? What measures of risk mitigation are most effective? Organization of HAZOP (Hazard and Operability) risks Risk Level Risk Description Identified Risks Intolerable risks Risks that lack justification on any grounds the leakage of oil and gas and structure, electrical or mechanical as well as explosion or fire related failures Tolerable risks Risks that can only be tolerated if it is impracticable or grossly costly to disproportionate the gained improvements failures associated with equipment operations and cargo transfer services Desirable benefit risks Risks considered if the benefit is desirable failure in relation to the facility or processes Cost tolerable risks Risks that are tolerable if their cost of reduction is more than the improvements gained Corrosion of the components of the production facility Negligible risks Risks with a broad acceptability and which do not require much details in demonstrating ALARP an aircraft crashing into the facility Table 1: Organization of HAZOP (Hazard and Operability) risks Organization of HAZID (Hazard Identification) risks Risk Level Risk Description Identified Risks Intolerable risks Risks that lack justification on any grounds Adverse physical and weather conditions Tolerable risks Risks that can only be tolerated if it is impracticable or grossly costly to disproportionate the gained improvements Fabricated objects such as offshore structures. Desirable benefit risks Risks considered if the benefit is desirable Deterioration of the production facility, which may result from environmental loading, corrosion, fatigue, helicopter activity and boat operations among others. Cost tolerable risks Risks that are tolerable if their cost of reduction is more than the improvements gained unfavorable state of the open sea transit, hazardous states associated with water, icebergs, vessels that are using the same waterway, under water objects such as wrecks as well as Negligible risks Risks with a broad acceptability and which do not require much details in demonstrating ALARP an aircraft crashing into the facility Table 2: Organization of HAZID (Hazard Identification) risks Prescribed actions and processes in order to make the risks ALARP The principle that is adopted in the reduction of risks to (ALARP) or levels that are as low as reasonably practicable are important when it comes to offering guidance to safety improvement through the consideration of three major areas. These major areas are associated with the concept of risks remedial actions. One of these areas is the category of the highest risk, which is found in the class of the intolerable risks. Such risks must be subjected to elimination at all cost. An example of these risks in the case of the offshore hydrocarbon production facility is the leakage of oil and gas. The other area is that of the ALARP region that represents a wide scale of sliding that links the level of risk to the cost of mitigation or elimination. The third areas is found in the lowest section of the scale where it includes small risks that may be regarded as negligible risks to the extent that they do not require any special attention or provision. An example of such risks is that of an aircraft crashing into the facility. Assessment of the identified risks One of the important tools that are used in the assessment of identified risk for the production of a safety case is the (QRA) Qualitative Risk Assessment. This approach uses computation techniques to determine and assess the risks associated with specific hazards in relation to the probability of occurrence and frequency. The Qualitative Risk Assessment technique also aids in the determination of the nature of threat and magnitude that specific hazards pose to human safety as well as the installation and integrity of the offshore hydrocarbon production facility. The use of appropriate and effective techniques in the assessment of identified risk facilitates the qualitative assessment based on present as well as historical experiences in relation to offshore actives and production. The risk identification process has led to the listing of some of the major risks as indicated: Leakages Fire and explosion Mechanical failure Structural failure Toxic release Collisions Loss of stability Helicopter clash The process of risk assessment considers the quantification of risks, which is followed by the application of the principle of (ALARP) or reducing risks to the levels that are as low as reasonably practicable. According to Charlez (2014), the principle of ALARP is expected to result in the conceptualization of remedies in relation to the various levels of identified risks. Further, he notes that there are certain situations and cases where the principle of ALARP may not be applicable in mitigating risks. Quantitative risk assessment (QRA) is a critical and appropriate approach in this process of risk assessment because its outcomes are presented in numerical values that facilitate the representation of risk values. This approach also aids in the attainment of important tools that are used in decision-making as well as maintenance of the offshore hydrocarbon production facility. Molland (2008) notes that, the identified and assessed risks bring about the presentation of results that facilitate effective operation and regular maintenance. Management of risks to achieve ALARP risk levels Among the risks identified in the procedures of developing a Safety Case for an offshore hydrocarbon production facility, the following require follow-up actions in managing and reducing the levels of risks to ALARP: Equipment corrosion Oil and gas leakages Structural failure Mechanical failure For each of the above identified risks, there are suggestions of procedures and processes in managing to the extent that the management operation leads to the achievement of ALARP risk levels. Identified risk Procedures and processes in achieving ALARP risk levels Facility corrosion NDT (nondestructive test) inspection program-This ensures the identification of the location and extent of corrosion. Once the corrosion is identified, preventive measures are incorporated to facilitate the achievement of ALARP risk levels. Equipment specification and design should also be done in accordance with the required quality standards. Structural failure Using standardized materials- This achieves ALARP risk levels by demonstrating that the design safety principles of duty holder meet legal requirements Mechanical failure Trading in qualified personnel- This achieves ALARP risk levels by demonstrating that the design safety principles of duty holder meet legal requirements Oil and gas leakages Equipment specification and design should be done in accordance with the required quality standards to mitigate the risk to ALARP risk levels Table 3: Procedures and processes in achieving ALARP risk levels Quantification and Qualification of identified risks Likelihood and Impact consideration grading scale Low 1 Fairly Low 2 Medium 3 Fairly High 4 High 5 Table 4: Likelihood and Impact consideration grading scale Likelihood grading of identified risks Identified risk Likelihood Facility corrosion 5 Structural failure 2 Mechanical failure 2 Oil and gas leakages 4 Helicopter clash 1 Toxic release 3 Loss of stability 1 Table 5: Likelihood grading of identified risks Impact consideration grading of identified risks Identified risk Impact consideration Facility corrosion 2 Structural failure 3 Mechanical failure 4 Oil and gas leakages 3 Helicopter clash 5 Toxic release 4 Loss of stability 4 Table 6: Impact consideration grading of identified risks Qualitative rating Identified risk Qualitative rating Facility corrosion acceptable Structural failure intolerable Mechanical failure intolerable Oil and gas leakages unacceptable Helicopter clash unacceptable Toxic release tolerable Loss of stability unacceptable Table 7: Qualitative rating Conclusion In conclusion, the development of a Safety Case for an offshore hydrocarbon production facility has led to the identification of the associated risks in and their presentation for decision-making and management. Among the identified risks, there are those with the highest potential on health and safety of personnel such as release of toxic substances as well as oil and gas leakages. Other identified risks are those with high potential impacts on the environment and they include leakages, toxic release as well as facility corrosion. Finally, the risks were also identified in relation to their potential impact on asset and commercial operation of the offshore hydrocarbon production facility such as mechanical failure, structural failure and loss of stability. References Chandrasekaran, S. (2015). Dynamic analysis and design of offshore structures. Charlez, P. A. (2014). Our energy future is not set in stone. Paris: Éd. Technip. Jahn, F., Cook, M., & Graham, M. (2008). Hydrocarbon exploration and production. Amsterdam: Elsevier. Molland, A. F. (2008). The maritime engineering reference book: A guide to ship design, construction and operation. Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann. Revie, R. W. (2015). Oil and gas pipelines: Integrity and safety handbook. Speight, J. G. (2014). Handbook of offshore oil and gas operations. Read More

The differences that are largely experienced involve are concerned with the size of an offshore development as well as several other activities associated with a single exploratory well for longer period and on a larger scale (Revie, 2015). The development of an offshore hydrocarbon production facility involves the installation of the offshore equipment as well as the installation of drilling wells in the reservoirs located in the subsea. The production facility in this case, has other platforms that are supported from the bottom.

Such platforms include the fabricated island constructed using gravel and appropriate for use is supporting large drilling rigs that extend to a water depth of close to 50 feet. Several tons of gravel form part of the seafloor that is used in the creation of the island. Upon completion of the production process, the islands is allowed to go through a natural erosion or dredging to a level that is appropriate for vessel navigation. Gravel islands require typical strengthening with steel or concrete, rock to offer resistance to the impact of ice.

The offshore hydrocarbon production facility also consists of a tubular steel cross bracing and large pipe legs that makes up a component known as a jacket. The jacket is sustained through the support of piles that are pushed into the seafloor to transmit wind, wave and current into the ground. The also provides support to the deck that harbors a drilling rig as well as other production facilities. An ever-increasing number of controllers are endeavoring to utilize safety case procedures and techniques in detailing new regulations.

The capacity to direct important risk appraisals proceeds to enhance offshore facilities and equipment and information gathering could be achieved through the development of a comprehensive safety case. There are four important reasons that explain the need for risk evaluation the development of a safety case. They include the recognition of dangers and mitigation against them, enhancement of offshore operations, effective utilization of assets and the creation of acceptable standards and regulations for offshore operations (Chandrasekaran, 2015).

Assumed operational aspects and attributes of the facility The assumption is that the preparation of the Safety case for this particular situation represents hypothetical facility. The other assumption is that of a hypothetical location where the facility is situated. This location represents an offshore Dampier together with disconnected mooring to permit and facilitate cyclone evasion. Description of the operating environment Hydrocarbon production facilities that are situated in the tropical and hurricane-prone regions are exposed to extreme storms.

In such cases, the specific designs of the hydrocarbon production facilities is done in a manner that enables them to be resistant to extreme wind waves as well as minimizing environmental damage. In the operating environment of the offshore hydrocarbon production facility it is important to closely monitor the weather. When the weather is closely monitored, the platform crews in that environment are able to perform the necessary preparations in relation to the evacuation and securing the facility.

Platforms in hydrocarbon production facility have a structural reinforcement, which allows for an additional resistance using equipment such as safety valves that are important in controlling the subsea as well as sealing off the wells. Such platforms are also designed to allow the ability to stand direct attack from the hurricane storms without causing significant damages. Platforms in seismic regions are constructed for countering the effects of intense ground movements that result from earthquakes.

The design of offshore hydrocarbon production facility structures in such regions are meant to have enhanced strength, which offer protection against damages from earthquakes. The changes experienced in the movement of currents and tides are capable of causing significant stress to offshore hydrocarbon production facility.

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