We have many options for conducting root cause analyses (RCA) including TapRooT™ and CAST/STPA. The method described here is the method developed by GATE to simplify the analysis while maintaining adequate rigor.

The GATE approach to risk ranking makes risk assessment easier, more accurate and more repeatable by incorporating LOPA insights into the risk matrix approach.

HAZOP is the most commonly applied process hazard analysis (PHA) methodology in the processing industries. It is also the most flawed!

Making Risk Assessment Better, Less Ambiguous and Repeatable - And more Actionable

In Part 1 of this GATEKEEPER series on complexity, we identified 8 key sources of project and project team complexity. In Part 2, we discuss what can be done about them.

A project consists of two interacting networks; one CPS (the kit) and one CAS (the human organization). We should expect some surprises (emergence) from the interaction of these two complex systems.

This GATEKEEPER discusses an effective subsea tree PWV (USV) leak test method. The test can be done quickly – entire test time is about 15 minutes, including the 5 minute monitoring time.

A HAZOP is a team-based process hazard analysis (PHA) method. Its purpose is to identify hazards and operability issues in a process design.

LOPA provides a consistent basis for judging whether there are sufficient independent protection layers against hazardous events to achieve the risk reduction required to achieve such an explicit target.

This is part two of the GATEKEEPER series on control systems tuning. To effectively tune a control loop, there needs to be an understanding about the dynamics of the system.

This series of GATEKEEPERS will provide methods for using readily available process design data for determining effective tuning parameters before startup.

Proper sizing of the flowlines and risers coupled with optimal choking and gas-lift will greatly reduce the risk of slugging and help in efficient management of slugs throughout the life of the field.

Studies suggest that humans conducting simple, mundane tasks make an error roughly 1% of the time. Error rates for complex tasks are much higher. Some procedures are more error-prone than others. It is incumbent upon us to write procedures that are not only accurate, but that are likely to be implemented without error.

It is frequently necessary to displace the contents of a pipeline or umbilical tube (fluid B) with another fluid (fluid A). If we don’t use a pig to separate the liquids, there will be mixing at the interface (axial mixing). The mixing zone requires us to overflush the line to effectively remove fluid B from the line.

Asphaltenes are large, complex organic components present in the oil phase, along with resins, aromatic hydrocarbons, and alkanes (saturated hydrocarbons). Resins play an important role in stabilizing asphaltenes in crude oil. When the resins get destabilized, (under unfavorable pressure-temperature conditions) asphaltenes can agglomerate and deposit.

These work effectively on dispersed, O&G; however, these systems do not effectively remove water soluble organics (WSOs). Where WSOs exist in concentrations greater than 29 mg/l, conventional produced water treating systems cannot achieve GoM overboard discharge limits.

Methanol (MeOH) is widely used in multiple applications in the offshore oil and gas industry.

In subsea oil production systems, hydrate mitigation methods during steady state operation are almost always based around heat conservation.

Iron solid formation in the MEG regeneration system has been a recurring issue in wet gas pipeline systems.