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RISK-BASED TECHNOLOGY
FOR THE OFFSHORE INDUSTRY
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t an ABS Consulting sponsored offshore industry
briefing in Houston, Texas |
in June 2003, some 200 operators, engineers and constructors
heard the latest strategies and techniques for applying risk-based
technology to offshore projects. Risk experts from ABS Consulting
and risk and engineering professionals from industry and the
coastal state administration introduced the attendees to a wide
range of risk applications for the industry, from the consideration
of novel concepts to risk based inspections. |
“Taking advantage of these approaches can help industry practitioners
and experts better focus their human resources, budgets and time where
they are needed most. Regulatory agencies also recognize the value
of these concepts,” said Ian Simpson, Manager, Offshore Project
Development, ABS.
For example, forum participant Dr. Charles E. Smith, Senior Technical
Advisor, US Minerals Management Service, offered insight into how
risk assessment has contributed to MMS regulatory decisions. Smith
also provided an overview of MMS regulations and standards and ongoing
activities. In addition, Captain Jeff Lantz, Acting Chief, Office
of Design and Engineering Standards, US Coast Guard, discussed how
the USCG applies risk-based decision-making to maritime safety.
Speakers from ABS addressed topics including:
- Integrating risk management into classification: Risk assessment
and risk management techniques can provide a more rational, holistic
and proactive approach to the development of safety standards
and regulations for the offshore industry, providing alternatives
to the traditional, prescriptive and empirical methods of classification.
Speakers from ABS Consulting addressed such topics as:
- “Approval In Principle” (AIP) of a novel concept:
Using an actual oil and gas project, guideline methodology for
obtaining “Approval In Principle” shows a combination
of testing and risk assessment, demonstrating acceptable levels
of safety in line with current offshore and marine industry practice.
- Application of quantitative risk techniques to marine and offshore
facilities: Qualitative techniques can range from simple event
tree and fault tree analysis for individual components or systems
to fully integrated models with linkage of risks between systems.
- Risk-based inspection (RBI): Offshore facilities have traditionally
followed a prescriptive inspection program where structures and
systems are inspected on a consistent interval basis. RBI offers
an alternative method in which inspections occur according to
the risk profiles, with high-risk structures and systems receiving
more regular and thorough inspections.
Speakers from industry addressed topics that included:
- Risk assessment in project Health, Safety and Environment (HSE)
decision making; and qualitative risk assessment tools, such as
checklist reviews, “what if” techniques and hazard
and operability studies (HAZOPS).
Earlier this year at Houston’s Offshore Technology Conference,
ABS issued three new guides for operators to apply the latest in
risk technologies to projects. New procedures for innovative designs
are developed in Risk Evaluations for the Classification of
Marine-Related Facilities. New technologies or approaches without
much precedent are addressed in Guidance Notes for Novel Concepts.
A third new publication, the Guide for Surveys Using Risk-Based
Inspection Techniques, optimizes inspection resources for existing
facilities.
For further details, go to:
http://www.eagle.org/news/press/may5-2003.html
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