Critical Asset Performance Standards (CAPS) development for offshore reliability

Abstract

Critical Asset Performance Standards (CAPS) are designed to meet operational safety and environmental protection requirements. CAPS define the key aspects of safety-critical elements (SCEs), including equipment, procedures, personnel, inspections and verifications necessary to preserve the integrity of the control measures that reduce the risk of a catastrophic major accident event (MAE). This paper offers an overview of the process involved in developing CAPS for integration into a Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) as part of an overall Risk-Based Asset Management strategy that provides regulatory compliance and system reliability. The relationships between SCEs, CAPS and associated maintenance tasks are an important aspect of the design, operation, reliability and safety case of a facility. They ensure that, as far as reasonably practicable, the facility design is in accordance with the latest codes and standards for the facility and complies with any additional requirements defined within the safety case to demonstrate that the risk for MAEs to all personnel working on the facility is maintained as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP). At the end of the CAPS development process, the following information will be available: Comprehensive list of the critical assets and an understanding of their relationship to MAEs; Well-defined performance-based standards for all SCEs; Metrics for trending and continuous improvement efforts; Documented maintenance tasks for all critical assets For each SCE, CAPS are developed to document the minimum performance required of the SCE in meeting its role in preventing or mitigating MAEs. CAPS can then be used as check lists for validation of the design and a basis for ongoing maintenance during operations. It should be noted that codes, standards and best practices are regularly updated in response to incidents that have occurred and it important to incorporate new learning, methods and technologies. Using a proper Management of Change (MoC) process, CAPS can be invaluable tools for assessing impacts to risk as a result of these changes. Performance standards may legitimately change during the life cycle of an installation. Therefore they should remain living documents and be updated as necessary. As with any safety and reliability-related program, a comprehensive approach also includes independent verification and periodic reevaluation for continuous improvement. Leveraging CAPS within a Risk-Based Asset Management strategy provides the framework for setting documented performance standards and establishing traceability to ensure regulatory compliance that ultimately meets corporate objectives for safe operations.