Operations Readiness & System Studies
Operations Readiness systems developed late in a project and in silos can’t reach the potential of becoming the powerful tools that they were developed to be. This is the Industry Culture Change that GATE has set out to implement. To change the Industry Culture of Operations Readiness, we changed the process and GATE mindset for development of ALL Operations Readiness Tools/Systems.
Operations Readiness & System Studies
Viking provides the following services related to Operations Readiness:
Operating Philosophy (Subsea & Topsides)
Operability Reviews
Operating Guidelines (Well, Subsea & Topsides)
Pre-startup Safety Reviews
Maintenance Planning (CMMS, Spares)
Spare Parts Data Development
Equipment Criticality Ranking
Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) Studies
Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA) Studies
Innovative Operator Training (Scenario Games, Tactical Decision Games)
Control System HMI Screen Development
Control System Tuning (Based on First Principles – Not Short Cut Methods)
Consult a Specialist
Resources
So your pipe burst, your pump shaft snapped, or your welded joint split, and you need to figure out why and how to fix it. The next steps you take can make the difference between finding answers and leaving the mystery unsolved until the next failure.
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.
This online course teaches the Stream-Based HAZOP method. The method is more effective, requires much less session time (though significantly more prework) and is much less repetitive and hence, is far less tedious for the participants.
The GATE Stream-based HAZOP process avoids these pitfalls via some novel modifications to the process. You can obtain a copy of the book here.
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.
SOPs are important for the safe and effective operation of industrial plants, including oil and gas facilities. But SOPs are frequently developed late in the project, after the design is completed and construction is well underway. And they may be used for little other than operator training. Following startup, they often end up on a shelf collecting dust. Used this way, SOPs have little influence on either the design or the operation of the facility. SOPs can be so much more. They can be both an integral part of the design process and a catalyst for culture change in the industry.
When properly developed, a CMMS tool can ensure that detailed equipment information is readily available, improve reliability, reduce equipment and facility downtime and more.
A HAZOP is a team-based process hazard analysis (PHA) method. Its purpose is to identify hazards and operability issues in a process design.
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.
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.
HAZOPs are not as effective as they should be. Duhon and Sutton (2010, SPE 120735) identified many reasons why we don’t learn as much as we should from HAZOPs.
The Initial Startup is the moment of truth where everything from subsurface to topsides becomes a single entity and has to work together. Design disconnects will become apparent.
Operations Readiness systems developed late in a project and in silos can’t reach the potential of becoming the powerful tools that they were developed to be.
The main difference between the GATE Stream-Based HAZOP and a typical HAZOP is that we define nodes based on ‘streams’.
Viking uses an innovative phased approach. High level SOPs are developed early based on the PFDs. These are then matured to mid-level and finally to detailed procedures as the project matures.
We have a broad knowledge in generating plans for the initial startup of wells, subsea tie-backs and new platforms.
We support operators in oil spill drills, and offers a standalone, fit-for-purpose solution. This partnership provides seamless engineering support, which results in efficient, more effective planning and execution of source control and oil spill response activities.
