SIMOPS (Simultaneous Operations) is a structured risk assessment process used in oil & gas, refinery, petrochemical, offshore, and process industries to identify hazards arising from concurrent activities performed in the same work area. A SIMOPS Study helps improve operational safety, coordinate work activities, and reduce risks during construction, commissioning, maintenance, and live operations.
Key Highlights of SIMOPS Study
- Identifies hazards during simultaneous operations
- Improves coordination between teams
- Supports Permit to Work (PTW) systems
- Reduces operational conflicts and safety risks
- Used in refineries, offshore platforms, and petrochemical plants
- Helps maintain safe construction and commissioning activities
Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPS) is the execution of two or more tasks by two or more functional teams on a similar location at the same time. SIMOPS in Oil & Gas and petrochemical industries occurs when activities related to construction, authorization, start-up and production operations are being allotted work at the same time.
While conducting SIMOPS study, with every hazard having its own risk, additional risks are generated thanks to coincidental execution within the same space. In order to spot potential hazards and to eliminate, minimize or manage the chance related to SIMOPS, dedicated risk assessment method shall be followed in situ involving all stakeholders.
What is a SIMOPS in Risk Assessment?
The Objective of SIMOPS in risk assessment process is to review and evaluate detail in the simultaneous operations of activities ( i.e, construction, commissioning, start-up and operations activities planned), with the purpose of:
- Identifying the additional hazards while conducting SIMOPS.
- Identifying the relevant risk level.
- Ensure the adequacy of the planned control methods.
- To determine additional risk reduction methods.
- To grant input for Permit To Work process to develop additional controls.
Recognized for excellence.
PROJECTS DELIVERED ACROSS THE GLOBE
SIMOPS a hazard ?
SIMOPS is a conflict of activities that could bring an set of undesired event or circumstances. (i.e. safety, environment or financial). SIMOPS reviews play a vital role in performance of (HAZOP) studies
SIMOPS can be offshore, (i.e. subsea oil and gas production), or onshore, (i.e. oil and gas marine terminals) during expansion or critical maintenance work within the process area of existing facility. SIMOPS also refer to measures adopted during Construction, commissioning, start-up and operation of any onshore Oil & Gas Processing Plant.
How do you manage SIMOPS?
The SIMOPS assessment study workshop is the leader event of SIMOPS risk assessment method. The key factor of SIMOPS Workshop is to share necessary info and coordinate the concerned parties. Throughout the workshop the following are going to be mentioned. To identify potential hazards and to reject, minimize or managed the risk associated with SIMOPS, dedicated risk assessment process shall be put in place involving all project representatives, Plant Propprietor, Project Consultant (PMC), Contractor, Sub-Contractors and Sellers.
- Identification of the SIMOPS situations
- Identification of the connected hazards
- Evaluation of the chance of coincidental execution of the activities
- Identification of control measures and/or operative procedures already planned and consequent assignment of the responsibility for their implementation
- Evaluation of the residual risk with risk management measures already in situation
- Identification of further risk management measures, if needed
- Assignment of accountable person for the implementation of known measure.
The first step of SIMOPS procedure is the identification of SIMOPS scenario, kinds of activities performed at the same time to be shared by the multi-disciplinary team.
Next to spot the hazards concerned throughout the execution of concurrent activities. In accordance with the HSE management system, a risk matrix will be generated shaping low risk, medium risk and high risk operations.
- High Risk – this level of risk is unacceptable resulting in intolerable losses of property, asset, people and setting inflicting fatalities and need to be addressed straightaway.
- Medium Risk – it’s acceptable however got to be managed at ALARP (As Low As fairly Practicable). The answer out there ought to be simply implementable and also the benefits should be greater compared to loss which may be incurred just in case of improper application of safety measures. Recommendations are going to be provided if needed.
- Low Risk – it is acceptable without any action.
A SIMOPS worksheet and SIMOPS layout will be used to record all the discussions and results. Recommendations and follow up measures will be provided to create the required changes and implementations within the system.
It has to be noted that SIMOPS risk assessment may be a living activity, it shall be updated frequently in line with the standing project and according to the sequence of incoming activities. SIMOPS connected documentation shall be kept updated & mitigation actions shall be reviewed according to work in progress and their implementation on field should be duly monitored.
Benefits of SIMOPS Assessment
A SIMOPS Assessment provides several operational and safety benefits for oil & gas and process facilities.
- Improves coordination between multiple teams
- Reduces operational conflicts and safety incidents
- Enhances Permit to Work (PTW) effectiveness
- Supports safe construction and commissioning activities
- Improves communication between stakeholders
- Reduces downtime and operational disruptions
- Enhances process safety and regulatory compliance
- Helps maintain safe operations during simultaneous activities
Need Expert SIMOPS Assessment Support?
iFluids Engineering provides SIMOPS Risk Assessment services for refineries, offshore facilities, petrochemical plants, LNG terminals, tank farms, and pipeline projects. Our team supports hazard identification, risk evaluation, PTW coordination, and operational safety management during simultaneous activities.
Contact us to discuss your project requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
A SIMOPS Study is important because it helps identify and manage risks arising from simultaneous activities performed within the same operational area. It improves coordination between teams, reduces operational conflicts, enhances Permit to Work (PTW) effectiveness, and helps prevent incidents such as fire, explosion, gas release, equipment damage, and personnel injury during construction, commissioning, maintenance, and live operations.
SIMOPS is important in oil & gas industries because multiple high-risk activities often occur simultaneously within active process facilities. Proper SIMOPS assessment helps maintain operational safety, minimize downtime, and ensure safe interaction between construction, maintenance, commissioning, and production activities.
A SIMOPS Study is typically required during construction activities in operating facilities, brownfield expansion projects, shutdown and turnaround activities, commissioning and start-up operations, offshore maintenance campaigns, and other simultaneous high-risk operations.
A SIMOPS Study helps identify interaction hazards, reduce operational conflicts, improve communication between stakeholders, support PTW coordination, enhance process safety performance, and maintain safe operations during simultaneous activities.
A SIMOPS Study identifies hazards associated with concurrent activities such as hot work, lifting operations, confined space entry, excavation work, energization activities, vehicle movement, and maintenance work near live hydrocarbon systems.