Client
Due to commercial interests the client has requested to remain anonymous
Asset
Offshore production platform
Overview
The client was developing a new gas field with a SPAR* FPSO platform. This is the world’s largest SPAR, and it is also the first facility ever with hydrocarbon storage within the SPAR. SPARs are typically used in very deep waters, mostly commonly in the Gulf of Mexico, and this is the first ever SPAR in this area of the world. Subsequently the safety work and risk assessment was especially important to this project to ensure a robust design and safe operational procedures, especially as the SPAR will be operating in significant water depths and challenging weather conditions.
The client required a full risk assessment to identify hazards and risk factors that had the potential to cause harm. This included analysing and evaluating the risk, identifying issues that could contribute to risks, and identify options for dealing with risks.
*The SPAR is a floating installation consisting of a vertical cylindrical hull moored to the seabed, and has a new design of steel catenary risers with excellent fatigue properties.
How we helped
We delivered a risk analysis of all major accident hazards, including analysis barriers against risks occurring, and analysing barriers in place to protect against an incident developing into a catastrophic event. Additionally, we also provided a foundation to minimise the environmental risk of the SPAR.
Our safety team was integrated within the operator team to ensure an integrated process, and this ensured valuable insight of risk drivers was provided to the team, ultimately ensuring safe operational decisions as well as a documentation of robustness.
The findings of our work have been presented to the safety organisation, both onshore and offshore. The client now has assurance of a safe design, and risk mitigation procedures, as well as a deeper insight into the risk drivers and knowledge of how to manage risk in the operational phase.
The impact
- All risks are well understood and designed against, yielding a safe and robust design optimised on performance, safety and cost savings
- Design documented to be safe and within all prevailing regulations and risk tolerance criteria
- Sensitivity studies have provided deeper understanding on risk drivers and how to mitigate and manage the residual risk during the operational phase
- Environmental risk was minimised
- A safe and functional working environment is assured for all personnel on the SPAR
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