Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) – Northern Region Pipe Line (NRPL) has an existing delivery station at Bathinda for PBPL pipeline. IOCL has entrusted iFluids Engineering to carry out Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) study for Northern Region Pipeline (NRPL) –Bathinda Delivery Station.
A HAZOP study is a detailed hazard and operability risk identification process, carried out by a multi-disciplinary team. HAZOP deals with the identification of potential deviations from the design intent, examination of their possible causes and assessment of their consequences.
The objective of the HAZOP (Hazard & Operability) study is to aid in managing project risk through early identification of hazards and operability problems and to reduce the probability and consequences of an incident that would have an adverse impact to the personnel, plant, properties and environment.
Key features of HAZOP Workshop include the following:
- The Workshop proceeds by systematically using series of guide words to identify potential deviations from the design intent and employing these deviations as “triggering devices” to stimulate team members to envisage how the deviation might occur and what might be the consequences.
- The workshop is carried out under the guidance of a trained and experienced study leader, who has to ensure comprehensive coverage of the system under study, using logical, analytical thinking. The study leader is preferably assisted by a recorder who records identified hazards and/or operational disturbances for further evaluation and resolution.
- The workshop relies on specialists from various disciplines with appropriate skills and experience who display intuition and good judgement.
- The workshop should be carried out in a climate of positive thinking and frank discussion. When a problem is identified, it is recorded for subsequent assessment and resolution.
- Solutions to identified problems are not a primary objective of the HAZOP workshop, but if made they are recorded for consideration by those responsible for the design.
Methodology
1. Select the node (line, equipment or a system) on the P&ID;
2. List of the intention & process parameters, guidewords for the node;
3. List all deviations and ignore deviations that are not meaningful and apply the deviation;
4. Brainstorm and list various causes of the deviation and ignore causes that are not credible;
5. Determine the consequences of the deviation due to each listed credible cause;
6. Identify Safeguards already provided in the system
7. Suggest recommendations/actions, should the safeguards be inadequate;
8. Repeat steps 3 to 7 for each deviation
9. Repeat steps from one (1) to eight (8) on the next node until all the nodes are covered.
Documents referred
- Latest updated P&ID of IOCL Bathinda delivery station
- Operating manual
- Control philosophy & Interlock details
Conclusion
At the end of the study, the identified process hazards & risks found by the HAZOP team was recorded, then produced as report with HAZOP worksheets and recommendation to lower the risk of the identified hazard.