Parallel Session Summaries

FABIG Session: Advances in Fire and Explosion Engineering Chaired by Dr Bassam Burgan, Steel Construction Institute After a brief scene setting introduction on the state of hydrocarbon explosion and fire knowledge at the time of Piper Alfa, Mike Johnson (GL) described experimental gas explosion research focusing on the Blast & Fire Engineering for Topside Structures (BFETS) project (1993 1996) and subsequent phases of this project. A test facility with maximum dimensions of 28m x 12mx 8m high was constructed containing realistic pipework and vessels representative of an offshore process module. This work demonstrated the potential for high pressure loadings, indicating that in many realistic cases, risk based design would be required (a theme that was picked up in the fourth presentation see below). Experiments which investigated (at full scale) a wide range of explosion configurations, mitigation using water sprays, gas dispersion and explosions with realistic releases were discussed. The main findings from this landmark work were summarised, illustrating how the experimental programmes provided the fundamental data that has been used in the validation of explosion models that are now used with some confidence in the design of offshore facilities worldwide. Kees van Wingerden (Gexcon) described the evolution of explosion models since Piper Alpha. Bechmarking work carried out against the large scale experiments described in the first presentation demonstrated the need for CFD modelling for realistic explosion scenarios. Attention also focused on modelling release and dispersion phenomena as well as explosion mitigation. The importance of dispersion studies was strengthened by the adoption of safety cases based on the ALARP principle in the UKCS and probabilistic approaches as advocated in NORSOK Z-013, 2010 in Norway. This necessitates the performance of large numbers of ventilation, dispersion and explosion simulations. A very interesting comparison was made between the simulation of Piper Alpha undertaken shortly after the disaster using modelling capabilities available then and a repeat of that simulation carried out before the conference using the capabilities of FLACS as they are today. In the third presentation, Geoffrey Chamberlain (Waverton Consultancy) discussed the advances in understanding the heat and toxic loadings from oil and gas fires as well as mitigation of fire consequences by water sprays, passive fire protection and plant layout. Geoff also referenced the BFETS project which included large scale experimental tests with propane gas and condensate jet fires and diesel and condensate pool fires in compartments. The effect of typical offshore deluge was also tested. Some ventilation regimes, such as an open roof, and recommended deluge rates were found to extinguish jet fires, whereas other ventilation geometries resulted in some of the highest heat fluxes and temperatures ever recorded in hydrocarbon jet and pool fires. Mixed natural gas and oil jet fires in the open were also studied. Tests were also carried out with mixtures of natural gas/butane and natural gas/kerosene. Heat fluxes were highest in compositions where the convective component of the high velocity natural gas combined with the high radiation levels from soot emission from the higher hydrocarbon. The studies also showed that the application of standard general area deluge cannot be relied on to maintain a water film over a vessel impinged

Parallel Session Summaries

by jet fires. Higher deluge rates combined with dedicated vessel deluge are more effective at restricting the temperature rise, particularly for two-phase jet fires, and may protect against vessel failure especially if combined with a blow-down strategy. In addition, guidance on the effectiveness of water curtains in protecting escape corridors was also developed. The offshore industry adopted risk based design after Piper Alpha and the development of this approach was the subject of the forth presentation by Viken Chinien and Asmund Huser (DNV). Risk based design enables credible design loads to be selected to ensure that agreed safety margins and return periods are maintained. The principles were illustrated by the design of blast walls separating different areas of an offshore installation. The example demonstrated the sensitivity to the probabilities of different combinations of input parameters and the impact on resulting overpressures. These were then used to form an exceedance curve. A similar, though less common, approach is also used in fire engineering when determining the location and extent of passive fire protection and this was also examined. The presenters discussed some examples of where uncertainty may result from the quality of available data and the implications of such uncertainty for the resulting designs. In the fifth presentation attention turned to the development of the approaches to design and assessment of offshore structures for fires and explosions over the past 25 years. In this presentation, Ramsay Fraser (Atkins Oil and Gas) discussed advances in structural analysis methods and the introduction of efficient designs and practical detailing techniques. Ramsay contrasted the involvement of structural engineers in the assessment of structures for accidental fire and blast events today with 25 years ago. In doing so, he referenced the use of performance standards, the interaction with risk assessment, the adoption of inherent safety, the use of advanced analysis tools, the approach to safety critical elements and the design of protection and mitigation measures. The final presentation of the session provided a unique insight into an operators perspective on the management of fire and explosion hazards. Dirk Roosendans (Total Refining and Chemicals) gave an overview of the historical development of strategies deployed in TOTAL Refining & Chemicals (RC) to avoid and mitigate major fires and explosions. The relative importance of activities such as the use and development of safety standards, hazard identification techniques, consequence modelling, frequency estimation, risk analysis & assessment and cost-benefit analysis were discussed. The evolution and improvement of safety management systems and their effective implementation and monitoring in relation to the avoidance and mitigation of major accidents were highlighted. Strategies to prevent the occurrence of major accidents, more recent developments in the area of process safety indicators, advanced simulation techniques, management of safety critical barriers, resource management, process safety competence and human factors in process safety were briefly covered. Video recordings of all the FABIG Session presentations will be available on the FABIG website (www.fabig.com) from 1st July.

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Safety Management Systems and Control of Work Chaired by Boyd Wright, Oil & Gas UK A recurrent comment made by attendees of this stream was on the high quality of the papers given. Several said that they were the best set they had seen at a Safety conference and were of the standard you would expect of a 'professional' (e.g. ISH, IMechE, SPE) event. The papers were evidently thought provoking as the numerous questions made at each session were direct and challenging. Question-time at most sessions had to be cut short - something often rare at conferences. It was also interesting to see the number of people who made a bee line for and clustered around the speaker at the end of the session to ask for further insight. It was very satisfying to overhear comments such as "we are doing something similar - can we get together sometime" and "we need to do something similar, could you help". Several delegates said they found the ability to connect in this way as being very valuable. The range and breadth of papers was seen as excellent and attractive as was the variety in background of the speakers. Papers ranged from audit and incident investigation to risk KPI's and barrier design so they attracted different individuals. Presenters ranged from one with nearly 50 years process safety experience to an RAF fast jet pilot with 18 months in the industry and this variety of knowledge and perspectives was regarded as a key strength of the conference. It was proposed several times that such a conference should be a regular event, perhaps on a 2 yearly rotation providing that the quality of both plenary and parallel speakers remained high.

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Major Hazard Management and Safety Technology Chaired by Trish Sentence, Wood Group Unsurprisingly the presentation given by Total was the best attended session of the stream, it was presented by Andrew Murdoch who was born 2 months after the Piper Alpha tragedy occurred with support for questions from Dave Hainsworth. The other well attended sessions were related to managing and tracking cumulative risk where BG, Nexen and Shell outlined their systems for assessing and monitoring the condition of barriers and providing tools for decision making based on that knowledge. The interest shown sits with the theme that was mentioned by several of the keynote speakers about being wary of 'Normalised Deviance'. The presentation around the development of Performance Standards was also well attended and provoked several questions, indicating that despite the long existence of these after the introduction of PFEER & DCR people are still struggling to get this right and they are key elements in most of the cumulative risk pictures that companies are developing. The inclusion of human factors into the bow tie models used was also a well attended and interactive session again demonstrating the desire to learn from others practical experiences that ran through the conference. This session had papers presented by 2 younger presenters at the end of the last day and as such allowed the session chair to summarise with a positive comment that it was encouraging that the younger generation were in attendance and also presenting, ensuring that the next generation of the industry was able to learn and share their experiences also.

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Human and Organisational Factors Bob Lauder, EnQuest The plenary sessions at Piper 25 were by any measure, quite outstanding with some of them ranking as highly memorable. It would have been easy therefore for the technical sessions to have been the poor relation but nothing could be further from the truth if the Crombie A experience is any guide. Crombie A housed a number of the Human & Organisational Factors papers all of which served to illustrate and emphasise the significance of such factors in managing health and safety and in particular in controlling major hazards offshore. We heard from a diverse group of topic experts including eminent industrial and research psychologists, Lawyers (one a QC), an emergency planning specialist, Human Factors practitioners, technical safety professionals, a Maintenance Manager and the Policy Director from IOSH the chartered body for health and safety professionals. Subjects covered a wide spectrum of topics all of which were relevant and interesting and many of which also provided some light entertainment. Recurrent themes included Leadership, Communication, Engagement, Culture and Shared Learning and those themes were in tune with many of the points brought out in plenary sessions. It was obvious from listening to the speakers that human and organisational factors is still very much a work-in-progress for our industry but it was equally clear that there is a significant body of good work being pursued by a number of organisations. The presentations also reinforced that HF is not just about behaviours and is not the fluffy stuff some people believe it to be. It genuinely does identify and tackle real issues influencing major hazard challenges and potential outcomes. The sessions were generally very well attended and it was always particularly pleasing to see some of the distinguished plenary speakers taking in the technical presentations. Delegate participation in the Q&A sessions was excellent, giving the Chairman the difficult task of managing the programme schedule without unduly stifling keen debate.

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Emergency Preparedness and Response Robert Paterson, Oil & Gas UK The emergency preparedness and response sessions included a diverse range of papers commencing with a comprehensive review and reflection on evacuation, escape and rescue advances since 1988. The presentation showed how the industry had responded to the challenges laid down by the Cullen report; while acknowledging the important role played by HSE in the process. A subsequent paper examined the development of integrated offshore emergency response since Piper Alpha from the perspective of the national provider of the search and rescue services. This was followed by a paper on the importance of securing and sharing corporate memory as an important mechanism for building on past experience and thereby become more robust and effective in future provision for emergency response. Next was a presentation on the use of 'quicklists' as an aid to thinking and understanding during an emergency; and how these lists of 'at a glance' facts could be developed and introduced to organisations for use in the highly stressful environment of an emergency response situation. There was an exploration of mental health issues arising from emergency response together with suggestions for how oil and gas companies can prevent, detect and treat mental health problems to minimise their impact on staff and business, including the value of peer support programmes and health screening. Learning since Piper Alpha (and more recent events) was a key theme in preparation for the future events. All provide and continue to provide learning opportunities. Crisis management and the importance of thoroughly preparing industry leaders was highlighted, together with the need to explore strategies for effective media response and reputation management in a crisis. The sessions were very interactive with high levels of engagement with the audience.