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.

Our topic strategy describes our work in this area.

• Loss of containment manual - reducing offshore hydrocarbon releases

  The manual has recently been revised. The following additional topics are now included: Use of key performance indicators to inform process safety leadership; the importance of human factor considerations in process safety management; and operational risk assessments.

• Hydrocarbon releases (HCRs) offshore (Offshore Information Sheet 2/2009) [PDF 39KB]
  

  This sheet provides information regarding 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)