Quality and offshore quantitative risk assessment

Abstract

Abstract It has been recognized for some time that quantitative risk analysis (QRA) studies have historically shown a higher degree of variability in result than is generally the case with other engineering analyses. The European Benchmark Study on QRA technology highlighted several areas of inconsistency. There has been a major increase in the emphasis on quality, under the banner of either ISO 9000 or total quality management. This paper discusses approaches which we have adopted to address both the management of quality and the development of tools for offshore QRA which are compatible with the needs of formal quality assurance. The management of quality is achieved partly by ISO 9000 business procedures, but more importantly by a hierarchy of technical documents: a consultancy policy, four guidelines and 17 technical notes, and a procedure for deviations. These define the basic procedures, methods, data and parameters that are the ‘default set’ for all QRA studies undertaken by the company. While flexibility is retained to meet specific client needs, a greater degree of consistency and quality should result. Unwanted variability should be eliminated and agreed deviations will be properly documented. The use of formal standards such as these in risk studies will allow greater emphasis to be given to hazard identification and risk-reduction activities within a given budget. The tool enhancement relates to development of the Offshore Hazard and Risk Analysis (OHRA) Toolkit, which is enabling the traditional spreadsheet approach for QRA, with its inherent quality assurance problems, to be phased out. This paper summarizes specific features of the OHRA Toolkit which assist in quality assurance.