TTS - The Systematic and Efficient Approach to Define, Maintain and Demonstrate Safety Performance on Complex Hydrocarbon Processing Facilities

Abstract

Abstract Authority regulators as well as shareholders, the public and other stakeholders require owners and operators to demonstrate the safety performance of their processing facilities. A particular focus is put on safety barriers managing major accidents with the potential of causing severe fatalities and long-lasting damage to the environment. Statoil has implemented a structured approach for assessing the condition of the safety barriers on their processing facilities as a key measure to control and reduce major accident risk. Performance Standards (PS's) are defined for each barrier and each PS defines a set of Performance Requirements (PR's) to be met by that particular system with respect to system function, integrity, survivability and management respectively. The set of PR's incorporates regulatory and internal requirements based on best industry practice. A comprehensive assessment program, incorporating a detailed grading system, regularly reviews compliance with the PR's and assigns a common grading. The TTS process focuses on a systematic assessment of the actual technical integrity and condition of process safety barriers implemented in facilities in operation, as well as facilities under design and construction. TTS provides a powerful approach to:Measure and ensure safety performancePrioritize corrective actions and major accident hazard risk management improvement initiativesBuild process safety awareness and competenceDemonstrate regulatory compliance. Introduction and Background Managing major accident risks on complex hydrocarbon processing facilities is an ongoing challenge. The TTS process for structured evaluation of technical safety systems or barriers at operating facilities have been developed over a number of years. Initially, a process for systematic and structured evaluation of technical safety systems in operation was developed by Statoil in 2000. The process was named TTS - Teknisk Tilstand Sikkerhet (Norwegian for technical condition safety) and focused on a systematic assessment of the technical integrity and conditions of the existing process safety barriers. DNV was engaged to provide support in Statoil's roll-out and implementation of the TTS process. Following successful implementation at Statoil facilities, Norsk Hydro showed interest and implemented a similar approach at their facilities with Statoil's consent. The TST (Teknisk Sikkerhetstilstand) process was launched in Hydro in 2003. Following the merger between Statoil and Norsk Hydro Oil & Gas business, Statoil is still applying the process under the name TTS, which in fact combines the best practices of the former two companies.