More than 70% of accidents in offshore oil and gas facilities stem from hydrocarbon fires and explosions that result in serious health, safety, and environmental consequences. Risk-based approaches are considered the best for minimizing the likelihood of these accidents. Detailed knowledge of related phenomena and their consequences, along with adequate risk assessment and management guidelines, are required in these risk-based approaches.
In order to assist our clients in safety design of oil and gas structures, Nowatec applies state-of-the-art software tools and procedures to identify and manage fire risk on these installations.
In the modelling of escalation events and in determining the frequencies of impairment of Temporary Refuge, fire resistance and failure probability of the following types of components and systems need to be evaluated:
- Module support frame (MSF) and topside modules
- Drilling derrick, flare boom, bridge etc.
- Process piping and process vessels
- Escape ways, tunnels
- Deck plating, module cladding etc.
- Fire/blast walls
Detailed fire risk assessment and its implementation into the design is carried out by Nowatec for clients’ development projects. Typical scope of work and deliverables include:
- Fire Risk Assessment (FERA)
- Assessment of fire heat/temperatures for defined fire scenarios using CFD tools (Kameleon KFX)
- Development of probabilistic models of fire loads to be used in design
- Global (topside) and local nonlinear structural fire consequence analysis
- Structural integrity analysis of fires (for PFP design) including equipment and pipe supports
- Design and optimisation of PFP.