Performance Standards Assurance & Verification - The ZADCO Approach to Manage & Verify HSE-CES (Critical Equipment & Systems)
Authors: Bell Paul , Al Busaeedi Ahmed Musallam 
Published: December 2014

Description

This presentation focusses on the development of ZADCO Performance Standards (PS) and Written Scheme of Examination (WSE) for HSE-CES (Critical Equipment & Systems).

It includes the initial identification of HSECES through the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Hazid and Envid processes which delivers a comprehensive Facility specific Hazard & Effects Register (H&ER). This H&ER forms an essential input during the development of the Performance Standards.

The presentation concludes with a demonstration of the practical PS output, which is the Verification of HSECES by an Independent Competent Person (ICP) to ensure that they are adequate and will function on demand.

This is achieved through an ICP Verification Audit which involves a comprehensive Examination of the HSE-CES (Critical Equipment & Systems) equipment.

The ICP audit includes physical witnessing of the HSECES to ensure that the Inspection, Functional Testing & Maintenance is conducted as specified, and to ensure they function as required, on demand, to control, mitigate and/or prevent major accident hazards.

Application

Similar Oil & Gas Companies (Exploration & Production) may learn from the experience in developing a detailed set of "Facility specific" Performance Standards, Written Scheme of Examination and associated HSECES Management System, as this approach includes the important aspect of being a practical, applicable, and complete system through the adoption of a comprehensive HSE-CES Safeguarding System & Equipment ‘Verification Scheme’.

Following this presentation, Companies may adopt or reference certain aspects of the approach and develop their own approach to develop and implementation a "tailored" Performance Standards Management System.

Results, Observations & Conclusions

Even at an early stage of the HSECES Management System development the results have been tangible, i.e. we have reviewed and interpreted the ADNOC (Regulatory Body) Code of Practice on Integrity Assurance (CoP 6.01) requirements into a practical working PS system to satisfy the CoP requirements.

This is achieved through identification of the Major Accident Hazards and related HSECES, assigning Equipment Criticality and developing the related Facility specific Performance Standards, to ensure that sufficient Inspection, Maintenance and Testing is carried out to specified Preventive Maintenance Standards which are witnessed (on a "sample" basis) by an Independent Competent Person (ICP) Team through On-site Verification audit to ensure compliance.

This process has been completed for the Operations phase, and is being managed at the Project ‘Design stage’ through a rigorous review, comment and approval of all Project phase Performance Standards by the relevant Technical Authority, prior to the Projects progression onto its next stage (or Gate), i.e. from Concept to FEED, EPC and Commissioning.

Significance of the Subject Matter

As all ADNOC Group Operation Companies within the UAE are required to implement the statutory ADNOC Codes of Practice, the Project is both relevant and important as HSECES Verification of the Safeguarding Systems (e.g. Fire & Gas, Emergency Shutdown Systems etc.) is paramount in establishing and maintaining the Technical Integrity of Facilities & Assets, and also to provide confidence to both ADNOC and Shareholders that ZADCO is aware of, and is actively addressing Major Accident Hazards and the associated risk, by taking ‘Facilities Asset Integrity’ seriously.