Increasing the Agility of Process Safety Management Systems

Abstract

Abstract The oil & gas industry is constantly adapting to change, be it related to price, technology or market demand. High prices of crude oil and advances in technology have allowed producers to access resources previously out of reach, and extract maximum value from these resources. With this, however, operational risk is significantly augmented - both upstream and downstream. In order to cope with this increased risk, it is vital that oil & gas companies have a process safety management (PSM) system that fully integrates management of change methodologies. DuPont has developed a PSM system that fully integrates change management across multiple facilities, among personnel and in light of technological advancement. While these must be considered singularly, it is also important for companies to build a holistic system that accounts for the interdependent nature of operational systems, and thus address process safety from every possible angle - training and skill development to hazard analysis and maintenance. However, as only a limited number of procedures can be universally applied to cope with changing process conditions, this paper will also detail the means through which companies can develop customized solutions for specific conditions and contexts. By developing a model that can effectively manage change, it is possible for oil & gas companies to not only avoid catastrophic incidents, but also increase the overall safety of an operation, while concurrently maximizing efficiency, cost-effectiveness and quality. The extraction and processing of oil and gas is a highly technical mechanical operation that involves volatile and corrosive substances in often extreme conditions. As such, it is vital for companies within the oil & gas sector to develop a holistic PSM system that can successfully manage process safety, while remaining agile enough to respond to specific issues, and any changes thereof.