Innovative Process Safety Solutions For Optimizations of Offshore Platforms - EPC Contractor's Experience
Authors: Aldhaheri Shamsa , Jha Ajay , Singh Harendra , Kamal Faris , Takieddine Oussama 
Published: November 2019

Objectives/Scope

This paper is intended to discuss various Process Safety aspects for optimizations on Offshore Platforms. Due to the limited space on Offshore Platforms, EPC Contractors face a huge challenge in accommodating all equipment within the scarce space meeting overall Platform weight while achieving design requirement. Based on EPC Contractor experience, Operating Companies can avoid overdesigning of the offshore facilities considering some of the useful examples outlined hereafter.

Methods, Procedures, Process

In the design of Unmanned Platforms, where personnel usually visits Platforms during maintenance. The following Process Safety cases are found useful: ■Placement of excessive Safety and Life saving equipment on Offshore Platforms■Placement of excessive Staircases in place of Staircase and Ladder Combination■Firewater spray system protection which is meant to provide cooling to equipment and aid personnel while evacuation■Possibility of removing Heli-decks where evacuation can be made available by other means■Optimizing the electrical equipment suitable for hazardous area.■Removal of buildings & optimized placement of Fire and Gas detectors.

Results, Observations, Conclusions

EPC Contractor's detailed comparisons and cases show that there is a substantial benefit for both Contactors and Operating Companies in terms of investment, operating costs, weight, maintenance and schedule.

Fire Extinguishers type and location are required to be in accordance to NFPA 10. Operating Companies may retain basic Fire Fighting Equipment like Fire Extinguishers and adopt a philosophy where personnel visiting such Platforms shall be fully equipped with necessary equipment needed for safe escape and evacuation.

Firewater deluge protection is done in accordance to NFPA 15 and API 2030. However, it's worth considering Firewater protection on Offshore Super Complexes where various Platforms are connected by bridges to accommodations. Contractor have studied cases on different projects to prove that deluge protection increases cost impact, studies and analysis demonstrate that it results in weight increase and several operating problems especially with GRE pipes such as surges.

Removal of Heli-decks and technical buildings on Unmanned Platform has substantial savings, structural loads, Fire and Gas detectors and overall Platform weight growth. Classification of placed electrical equipment in safe areas and hazardous areas showed an impact on layout, weight and cost. Cases also outlined EPC Contractor challenges and bottle-necks faced for over-designed equipment.

Novel/Additive Information

EPC Contractor's case studies can be adopted to create a new era in designing Unmanned Platforms that return many benefits to especially Operating Companies. Real project case studies demonstrate that it results in cost and schedule optimizations, and overall Offshore Platform weight reductions. The paper highlights the benefits with various case studies for Offshore Platform Optimizations considering Process Safety Aspects.