The Importance of a Team-Based Approach to Overpressure Scenario Development

摘要

With the increased regulatory focus on pressure relief and flare systems (PRFS) design basis,many companies are in the process of updating their existing relief systems designdocumentation. A very important aspect of any relief systems analysis is the correctidentification of overpressure scenarios, and one way to ensure successful and accurateoverpressure scenario development is to conduct this process as a team. This approach iscurrently in effect at many major oil and petrochemical companies including BP, Shell, ChevronPhillips, Bayer, etc., even though current relief systems, recognized and generally accepted goodengineering practice (RAGAGEP), does not call for this approach.The benefits of a team-based approach to overpressure scenario development includeparticipation and consensus from all affected disciplines: engineering, operations,instrumentation and control, maintenance, and process safety. Unique insights can be providedthrough operational experience, and there are opportunities to confirm correct operating anddesign conditions.In the same way that a process hazard analysis (PHA) is conducted using a team approach; soshould the relief systems rationale.This paper outlines the basic steps involved in overpressure scenario identification, the way thata team approach can be implemented, and the benefits of a team-based approach to overpressurescenario development.