Process integrity

The process integrity topic includes:

• hazard identification, HAZOP, HAZAN
• process parameters for suitable material selection
• establishing safe operating limits
• plant layout, and hazardous area classification
• plant protection systems
• pressure relief and blowdown
• safe disposal systems
• information, instructions and training
• plant operations
• process isolation standards
• safe systems of work
• commissioning.

• Loss of containment manual - reducing offshore hydrocarbon releases [PDF 435KB]
  Originally designed to give guidance to inspectors under the Key Programme 1 - Reducing offshore hydrocarbon releases initiative, this document gives 10 important elements for managing the integrity of the process containment envelope and advises on topics for inspection within each of the elements. The maintenance of high standards of operation in these areas should help to minimise the frequency of occurrence of offshore hydrocarbon leaks.
• Hydrocarbon releases (HCRs) offshore (Offshore Information Sheet 2/2009) [PDF 39KB]
  Some observed trends in the underlying causes of HCRs, and indicates HSE's expectations of the offshore oil and gas industry in addressing these trends.
• Flare system impaired by cooling water loss through bursting disc failure on an intercooler heat exchanger (Safety Alert 1 /2008)
  Advises dutyholders of an incident involving failure of a bursting disc on the shell side of a shell and tube heat exchanger, which led to an inability to flare gas safely on an offshore installation.